Weekly Release, Vol. 17, No. 20

Three road games vs. North Division completes trip

Quote of the WeekHead Coach Kirk MacDonald explains why F Ryan Penny is effective: “Going back to last year he was far and away our best player in the playoffs because when the game got hard and ugly and the ref puts the whistle away he’s going to produce. That’s part of the reason he got called up . He was supposed to be there for one game. He was there for two months because he showed up and his habits were good and he worked hard. You want guys to have success and you’re happy for a kid that goes up and does a good job like that. When you have good habits it translates to the next level.”

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals (31-21-6-0, 68 pts., 3rd North) continue to put the stamp down on third in the North Division, recording points in six of their last seven games. The squad has played the last five on the road and has three more this week, completing a three-in-three Mar. 8-10 against Brampton and Wheeling. The Royals are on the road in Brampton Thurs., Mar. 8 at 11:00 a.m. and complete the season series with a pair at the Nailers this Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Reading is 6-2-1-0 against Wheeling this campaign.

Last weekend in Florida, the Royals came back twice to earn a point in overtime losses at Orlando. Despite a three-game slide, the Royals have points in four of five during a season-long eight-game road trip.

Reading holds a three-point advantage for third in the North. The Royals sit four back of second-place Adirondack.Upcoming Home GamesPostgame autograph session Wed., Mar. 14 vs. FW at 7:00 p.m.Stay after the game for a special postgame autograph session on Wed., Mar. 14 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Fort Wayne, presented by Rieck’s Printing. It’s the only chance of the season to see the Komets.

Win $10,000, Yannick Tifu Number Retirment, Ted DiBiase “Million Dollar Man” appearance, St. HatTrick’s Day on Sat., Mar. 17 vs. BRM at 7:00 p.m.Enter for a chance to win $10,000 with the Reading Royals as the team hosts Brampton on St. HatTrick’s Day Sat., Mar. 17 vs. the Brampton Beast at 7:00 p.m. It’s an easy process; Step 1: purchase tickets to the game here | Step 2: Register to be entered into the contest here | Step 3: Watch a Royals player score a hat trick vs. Brampton.

Additionally, meet WWE’s Million Dollar Man and celebrate the holiday with the Royals, presented by Met-Ed! Royals legend Yannick Tifu will have his #10 retired to the Diamond Credit Union Wall of Honor during the game. The first 5,000 fans will receive a Yannick Tifu poster, courtesy of Rieck’s Printing and Diamond Credit Union. The Royals will wear special St. Patrick’s Day jerseys. Tifu captained Reading to the team’s first Kelly Cup in 2013 and played in 245 Royals games, third-most in team history. Tickets are available here.

Special Olympics Night Fri., Mar. 23 vs. WOR at 7:00 p.m.Postgame shake, shiver and freeze with the Royals to raise money for the Special Olympics and a Royals trading card set giveaway to the first 2,500 fans (Rieck’s Printing).

Autism Awareness Night Sat., Mar. 24 vs. WOR at 7:00 p.m.This is one of the best nights of the season for a wonderful cause. No goal horn and the Royals wear special autism awareness jerseys. Plus, a one-time-only giveaway: a puck with Head Coach Kirk MacDonald and Assistant Coach Pat Wellar.

Big 3 Storylines3) Sign ‘em upCall 610-898-7825 to join the Royals family or renew season tickets for the 2018-19 season. Early renewal and registration runs through Mar. 15. Top Early Renewal Benefits include: Extra chance to win jerseys-off-our-backs | Chance to win Owner's Suite | Chance to watch warm-ups from bench and high-five tunnel experience.

2) Royals awards banquet   Register here. Get a pregame pep talk from Royals Head Coach Kirk MacDonald, behind-the-scenes tour of the Royals locker room and buffet meal at Santander Arena Mon., Mar. 26 from 6-8 p.m. for the Royals Awards Banquet. We will hand out the best awards from the 2017-18 season.

1) Mile countReading has arrived in Brampton for a meeting with the Beast on Thursday. The team has 900 miles left on its eight-game road trip and Reading has already travelled about 3,100 miles. Reading has played in Glens Falls, NY, Manchester, NH, Orlando, FL, Jacksonville, FL so far.

Team Leaders (Active players)Goals: Matt Willows (23), Chris McCarthy (17), Michael Huntebrinker (16)Assists: Matt Willows (36), Chris McCarthy (22), Nolan Zajac (21)Points: Matt Willows (59), Chris McCarthy (41), Nolan Zajac (36)PIMs: Ryan Penny (45), Nick Luukko (44), Matt Willows (41)+/-: Michael Huntebrinker (14), Frank Hora (13), Brian Morgan (11)

Practice scheduleMonday – Travel DayTuesday – Practice in Brampton

Wednesday – Practice in BramptonThursday – Game at Brampton, 11:00 a.m.Friday – Game at Wheeling, 7:05 p.m.Saturday – Game at Wheeling, 7:05 p.m.Sunday – OFF Day

Royals Radio Recon: Next Show Tues., Mar. 13Live from Jimmy G’s Railroad House from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.Meet Royals players and coaches at Jimmy G’s Railroad House, 152 Woodrow Ave., Sinking Spring, PA. Listen on rumbareading.com and Rumba 1340 (iHeartRadio app).

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 at 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.