Weekly Release, Vol. 18, No. 5

November 12, 2018/in News /by David Fine

3-D Jerseys go viral, Royals will wear them this Saturday vs. Newfoundland

Quote of the WeekKirk MacDonald on the Royals scoring in the final second to tie Friday at Adirondack

“We’ve had big comebacks before, but I don’t think we’ve ever scored two in the last two minutes to tie it up since I’ve been around. It’s exciting, especially when you’re on the road.”

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals, proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, host two games at Santander Arena this week vs. Newfoundland, including Saturday’s Veterans Day Game where Reading will wear jerseys viewable by 3-D glasses and hand out rally towels to the first 2,500 fans (UGI Utilties).

Among notable media outlets, the jerseys have been featured on NBC Sports, ESPN’s Uni Watch, TSN and The Comeback, with more to come this week as Reading prepares to make history by becoming the first hockey team to wear a 3-D hockey jersey.

The Royals earned one point last week by forcing overtime with a goal in the final second Friday at Adirondack. It was the first time the Royals scored with less than a second left to get a contest to the extra session.

Special Olympics Night vs. Newfoundland: Nov. 16, 7:00 p.m.

Veteran’s Day Game with rally towel giveaway vs. Newfoundland: Nov. 17, 7:00 p.m.First 2,500 fans receive a rally towel, pres. by UGI Utilities. First-ever 3-D jerseys. Double-amputee, Eagle Scout and Sixers anthem singer Ron C. Brooks will perform the Star Spangled Banner.

Team Record

5-3-1-3, 14 points, 3rd North

Division Standings

Newfoundland – 22 points

Adirondack – 20 points

Reading – 14 points

Brampton – 13 points

Maine – 10 points

Manchester – 11 points

Worcester – 7 points

Weekly ResultsNov. 7 vs. Maine: L, 3-1Nov. 9 at Adirondack: SOL, 3-2Nov. 10 vs. Adirondack: L, 4-2

Big 3 Storylines3) More on that last second

Josh MacDonald scored with half a second to go in the third period Friday vs. Adirondack, tying the game and allowing the Royals to complete a two-goal comeback to force overtime. Reading trailed, 2-0, with two minutes left and Brayden Low scored to cut the deficit to one with 1:58 remaining in regulation. The Royals scored two goals with a six-on-five skater edge. Last season, Reading only potted once at a six-on-five advantage.

MacDonald is the first player to score a tying goal for the Royals in the final second of the third period. Marc Cavosie is the only player in Reading history to tally a game-winning goal at 19:59 of the third, scoring a buzzer-beating tally vs. Trenton on Jan. 18, 2010.

Opposing squads have scored game-winning goals in the final second vs. Reading twice; in 2005-06 (Wheeling) and 2016-17 (Atlanta).

2) Huntebrinker approaching Willows territoryMichael Huntebrinker is riding a ten-game point streak, the second-longest point streak the Royals have had since Kirk MacDonald took over as Head Coach. Last campaign, Matt Willows scored at least a point in 15 straight games from Jan. 14- Feb. 24. During the stretch, Willows tied a Royals record by registering a goal in eight straight games (Joe Zappala, 2007-08).

The longest point streak in Royals history is 25 games, accomplished by Mike Kompon in the 2005-06 campaign.

Huntebrinker is tied for the team lead with 12 points (3g).

1) A chance to snap out of itReading has earned one point over the last three games and goes against the last-place Worcester (7 pts.) Wednesday. The matchup marks the sixth time in 13 games the Royals have played a team ranked at the bottom of a division. Maine has been sat in seventh in each of the three season-series meetings this season. The Mariners defeated Worcester twice this weekend to hop the Railers and knock Worcester to worst in the conference. The Railers have lost seven straight games, tied with Allen for the longest losing streak by an ECHL team this season.

Wheeling remains last in the league (5 pts.) and Reading earned three of a possible four points against the Nailers Oct. 27-28.

Regular season team leaders

Goals: Josh MacDonald (5)Assists: Michael Huntebrinker (9)Points: Alex Krushelnyski/Michael Huntebrinker (12)+/-: Michael Huntebrinker/Steven Swavely (5)PIM: Dan Milan (36)

Practice scheduleMonday – 11:00 a.m. Santander ArenaTuesday – 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Santander ArenaWednesday – Game 10:00 a.m. at WORThursday – 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Santander ArenaFriday – Game 7:00 p.m. vs. NFLSaturday – Game 7:00 p.m. vs. NFLSunday – OFF DayMonday – 11:00 a.m. Santander Arena

Royals Radio Recon: Next Show Mon., Nov. 12Live from Jimmy G’s Railroad House from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.Meet Royals players at Jimmy G’s Railroad House, 152 Woodrow Ave., Sinking Spring, PA. Listen on mixlr.com/ReadingRoyals or via the Mixlr App.

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.

Listen to all Royals broadcasts at Mixlr.com/ReadingRoyals or by downloading the Mixlr App from the App Store or Google Play.