Cowbells echo in home opener, Worcester prevails in OT, 2-1

Reading, PA – A crowd of 5,146 rang cowbells on opening night, but the Reading Royals dropped in overtime, 2-1, to the Worcester Railers Saturday at Santander Arena. Josh Holmstrom stuffed the game-winning goal at 1:53 of overtime on a back-handed shot from the left post. Branden Komm made 38 saves in defeat, bested by Mitch Gillam (29 saves).

Frank DiChiara scored the opening goal of the game halfway through the first and Worcester tied the game in the second. DiChiara tallied nine goals for Worcester in 2017-18 and signed with Reading in the offseason.

The Royals and Railers are set for a rematch at 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Santander Arena. Meet Philadelphia Eagles legends Vince Papale and Bill Bergey and pick up a Deibler Dental Royals Magnet Schedule. Opening Weekend is presented by Met-Ed.

Box Score

Reading used a power-play laser from DiChiara for the first goal of the season. Alex Krushelnyski patiently crossed the puck rink wide from the left wing wall to the right circle. DiChiara wound up and unleashed a one-timed slap shot at 8:56 of the first.  Steven Swavely registered the secondary assist.

Almeida tied the game, 1-1, at 1:04 of the second on a net-front toss that trickled through Komm. The former Royals forward set up at the right-wing half wall and centered the puck. It changed directions coming towards Komm.

Reading went 1-for-5 on the man up and denied Worcester on four chances (0-for-4).

In overtime, the Royals killed off a shortened 4-on-3 power-play chance. A two-on-one opportunity for the Royals led to Worcester’s winning goal. Gillam made a stop and off a scramble and Nick Sorkin motored ahead for a breakaway. Komm denied that chance, but Holmstrom scooped up the rebound and batted it through Komm. Opening Weekend, presented by Met-EdPhiladelphia Eagles Legends Night (Vince Papale and Bill Bergey): Oct. 14, 5:00 p.m.Pregame tailgate 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Appearance by Eagles legends Vince Papale and Bill Bergey | National cornhole tournament

About the RoyalsThe Royals have been owned by serial entrepreneur Jack Gulati since 2014 and are entering their 18th 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 nine straight seasons and are four-time division champions.

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