Reading comes up short against Worcester, 4-1

Reading, PA­ – The Reading Royals (34-23-8-0, 76 pts., 3rd North) received 39 saves from Branden Komm and lost, 4-1, to the Worcester Railers (31-25-4-4, 70 pts., 5th North) Friday at Santander Arena. Matt Wilkins skated in his 100th career professional game and Jack Riley made his professional debut. The Railers scored twice on Komm in the final five minutes to take a 3-1 advantage before adding an empty-net goal.

Both teams have won six games through the first 12 of the season series. Worcester and Reading play twice more this regular season. The Royals are two points ahead of Wheeling for third in the North.

Worcester out shot Reading, 43-30. The Royals are home for a rematch with the Railers Saturday at 7:00 p.m. on Autism Awareness Night.

Box Score

The Railers took advantage of an early power play, soaring a slap shot past Komm for the 1-0 lead. Mike Cornell hit it from the top of the right circle 1:02 into the first session. Frankie DiChiara and Jake Randolph had the helpers.

Chris McCarthy responded on the man advantage with a left-circle, one-timed shot off a pass from Nolan Zajac at 10:58 of the first to beat Mitch Gillam (win, 29 saves). Adam Schmidt also contributed, adding to his career-best seven-game point streak. Reading went 1-for-4 on the man advantage.

A scoreless middle frame kept the game even at one. Komm made 16 saves and Gillam blocked nine shots.

The Railers took a one-goal edge with 4:29 remaining in regulation. Josh Holmstrom shot it from the right-side circle; it struck Komm and trickled over the goal line making it a 2-1 game.

Two minutes later, Barry Almeida added an insurance goal for the Railers on the power play, making the unit 2-for-4 on the man up. Nick Saracino recorded the lone assist.

Matt Lane poured in an empty-net goal with 9.6 seconds remaining in the final period and gave Worcester the 4-1 victory.

Autism Awareness Night Sat., Mar. 24 vs. WOR at 7:00 p.m.

A one-time-only giveaway: a puck with Head Coach Kirk MacDonald and Assistant Coach Pat Wellar to commemorate the 5th anniversary of Reading winning the Kelly Cup.

To support the Autism Society of Berks County and Unending Promise, we’re wearing special Autism Awareness jerseys that will be auctioned off at https://one.bidpal.net/goroyals.

Tickets are available here.

2018-19 season tickets now availableTop full-season benefits include: exclusive Reading Hockey Club per seat gift, discounted rate off regular ticket prices, ticket exchange, preseason meet and greet, exclusive season ticket holder events, advanced entry and a chance to win and the Royals Owner’s Suite for a game. Call 610-898-7825 and visit to join the Royals family or renew season tickets for the 2018-19 season. Visit royalshockey.com/tickets/season-tickets to learn more.

About the RoyalsThe Royals have been owned by serial entrepreneur Jack Gulati since 2014 and are in their 17th ECHL season. Proudly affiliated with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Reading plays in the Santander Arena, located in downtown Reading, PA at 700 Penn Street. The Royals won the Kelly Cup in 2013, have made the playoffs in eight straight seasons and are four-time division champions.

Broadcast CoverageAll Royals game can be heard on Rumba 1340 AM and the iHeartRadio app by searching “Rumba 1340”. The pregame show starts 15 minutes before puck drop. Watch Royals games on ECHL.tv. Reading away games are shown locally on BCTV, channel 15 Comcast, channel 19 Service Electric.