Zajac scores in 2-1 OT loss at Orlando

Orlando, FL – Orlando Solar Bears forward Kale Kerbashian (2g) scored on a right-circle wrist shot at :37 of overtime to knock off the Reading Royals, 2-1, Sunday at Amway Center. Branden Komm made 32 saves, including 29 straight after allowing the first goal, before yielding on overtime’s opening shot. The Royals received two points in two games against the Solar Bears, both OT defeats.

Nolan Zajac scored to tie the game at one midway through the first, his ECHL-defenseman-leading 15th of the campaign. His strike was the only that beat Mackenzie Skapski (win, 35 saves). Both man-up units went 0-for-2.

Kerbashian gained the Royals line with speed on a break in before unleashing the game-winning shot.

Reading’s road trip continues with an 11:00 a.m. showdown at Brampton Thurs., Mar. 8. Reading is five games through a season-long eight-game road trip. Reading’s next home game is Wed., Mar. 14 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Fort Wayne.

Box Score

Orlando took a 1-0 edge on a deke to the left circle and wrist shot from Kerbashian at 6:21 of the first. After the Kerbashian goal, the Royals allowed one shot over the next 12 minutes and tied the game.

On the tying strike, Brian Morgan found breathing room from the bottom of the left circle and directed the puck to Zajac at the left dot. Zajac quickly ripped it to the short post at 12:05 of the first. Chris McCarthy had the secondary assist and has reached 40 points for the second straight season.

At 17:51 of the first period, a body check by Scott Tanski on Orlando’s Sean Zimmerman knocked a pane of the glass out, resulting in an eight-minute stoppage before officials signaled the teams to the locker room for first intermission. The teams returned and played the final 2:09 of the first period before the horn, minute-long break and the start of the second.

In a scoreless middle frame, the Royals outshot the Solar Bears, 16-12. Reading was outshot, 13-9, in the third period.

Reading is next at home on Wed., Mar. 14 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Fort Wayne, with four players hosting a postgame photo and autograph session, courtesy of Rieck’s Printing.

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.

Season tickets for 2018-19 now available: Early Renewal through Mar. 15Call 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.

Royals Awards Banquet at Santander Arena Mar. 26Register 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.

Postgame 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.

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.