Monarchs top unit plagues Royals, 4-1

Manchester, NH – The Reading Royals allowed the first three goals to the Manchester Monarchs’ top line and fell by a 4-1 score Wednesday at Santander Arena. Matt Willows had Reading’s lone goal to cut the deficit to 3-1 late in the third period. He has strikes in five of his last six games and a team-high 29 goals. Manchester linemates Jordan Lavallee-Smotherman (2g) and Spencer Watson had the initial three tallies. Two came in the third period to make it 3-0 Manchester.

Charles Williams (win) recorded 19 saves and allowed the Willows goal with 3:47 to go. The New Hampshire graduate shot it from the bottom of the right circle on the power play. Reading’s man-up unit was 1-for-6.

Anthony Stolarz (1-1-1-0 record) battled through 24 shots and denied 21. Manchester’s Michael Doherty iced the game in the final two minutes with an empty-net goal.

Reading (76 points) is seven points behind Manchester for first place in the North Division. The Royals had six shots in the first, nine shots in the second and five in the third.

Box Score

The Royals had the potential opening goal waved off 6:30 into the first while the squad was on a 5-on-3. After review, officials judged Adam Schmidt deflected the puck and hit off his stick at a point above cross bar height. Reading went 0-for-2 on the man up in the opening frame.

Lavalee-Smotherman scored the game’s first goal with 3:10 to go in the first on a wrist shot from the top of the left circle. He then shot his second one past Stolarz on a designed play off the faceoff for an even strength tally at 9:49 of the third. Center Matt Marcinew won it to Smotherman at the left slot and he quickly snapped it in. He has a series-best eight goals vs. Reading. Spencer Watson scored four minutes later on the power play with a left circle shot. Manchester was 1-for-2 on the power play.

In a scoreless second period, the Royals out-shot the Monarchs, 9-6, and had a pair of failed power-play chances. Reading also killed off Manchester’s first man-up chance. One of the Royals’ best opportunities of the game came about seven minutes into the frame, when Nolan Zajac stuffed the puck from the right post and Williams extended for a kick save with his left leg and held the puck.

The Royals are at home this Friday with a player trading card set giveaway against Worcester at 7:00 p.m., presented by Rieck’s Printing. Because of the snow storm, fans receive $6 off tickets to Friday’s game by purchasing from this link or calling 610-898-7825.

Royals offer Snow Day Ticket Special to game Fri., Mar. 23: $6 Off TicketsWinter Storm Toby has prompted the Reading Royals to announce a special ticket deal: the team will offer $6 off tickets to the game this Fri., Mar. 23 vs. Worcester at 7:00 p.m. purchased through this link. The deal runs Wednesday and Thursday.

Tickets are now $8 to the game on Friday.

Friday’s game is Special Olympics Night, featuring a Royals player trading card set giveaway to the first 2,500 fans (Rieck’s Printing). Come to the ice after the game for a Beach Party! We call it the postgame shake, shiver and freeze to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Special Olympics Night Fri., Mar. 23 vs. WOR at 7:00 p.m.

Royals trading card set giveaway to the first 2,500 fans (Rieck’s Printing).

Tickets are available here

Come to the ice after the game for a BEACH PARTY!!!  We call it the postgame shake, shiver and freeze with the Royals to raise money for the Special Olympics. Friday’s game is Special Olympics Night and you can help raise money for Special Olympics with a $10 donation which will get you on the ice for Shake, Shiver and Freeze (don’t forget your swimsuit and towel). We invite everyone to stick around, enjoy the fun and donate to this special cause.

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.

Reading Royals Mobile AppHead to the App Store and Google Play to download the new Reading Royals app on your smartphone! Stay up-to-date with team news, receive notifications and purchase tickets for your next experience at Santander Arena.

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.