Bears fly, Swavely sets team record and Royals double Americans, 4-2

Reading collects 2,541 bears for local organizations

Reading, PA – Brayden Low scored the Reading Royals’ Teddy Bear Toss goal in the first period and Reading never trailed, defeating the Allen Americans, 4-2, Saturday at Santander Arena. Royals fans threw 2,541 bears on the ice. All bears will be donated to local organizations to help those in need this holiday season. Low’s tally gave the Royals the opening strike with 9:33 to go in the first.With the game tied at one to begin the second, Steven Swavely scored a go-ahead strike six seconds into the period to break the Royals team record for fastest goal to begin a frame. The tally broke Derek Whitmore’s team record (:07, Oct. 21, 2017). The Swavely goal was two seconds short of the ECHL record for fastest goal to begin a period. Swavely is on a 13-game point streak, the longest of his career and by an ECHL player this season.Nick Luukko (1g, 1a) and Chris McCarthy (1g, 1a) added third-period goals to provide insurance.Andrew D’Agostini moved to 2-0-0-0 with Reading with a 27-save performance. Jeremy Brodeur took the loss with 32 saves.Sunday at 5:00 p.m., the Royals complete the weekend with Allen on Nickelodeon Night featuring SpongeBob SquarePants, plus a special postgame event at Cheers! Restaurant in the DoubleTree with Royals players. Also, the the team will host a toy drive to benefit the Salvation Army of Reading.

Box ScoreLow’s teddy-bear-toss goal came on a breakaway, sprung by Tyler Bird halfway through the first frame. Low dipped his shoulder to the back hand and struck it underneath Brodeur’s pads. Bird picked up his first professional point with the assist.Five minutes later, Zach Pochiro scored his team-leading 14th of the season with a one-timed power-play tally from the top of the left circle, assisted by Alex Breton and Adam Miller.  Adam Schmidt set up Swavely’s go-ahead goal six seconds into the second. Swavely won the face-off to his right and in front of the penalty box. Schmidt grabbed, entered the zone and fed back to Swavely high slot. He unleashed a wrist shot that beat Brodeur at the left post.McCarthy took over in the third period with a pair of beautiful plays. First, McCarthy set up at the left wing half wall and stroked a slap pass to Luukko at the right doorstep. The captain scored his fourth of the season at 5:57 to give Reading a 3-1 edge. After Garrett Clarke (goal, 9:31 of the 3rd) cut the Royals lead to 3-2, McCarthy scored his fourth of the season. He received a feed from Josh MacDonald and started a 2-on-1 over the left wing blue line. The right-handed shot aimed and beat Brodeur short side.Allen went 1-for-2 on the man up. Reading was 0-for-5 on the power play.Weekend of Giving Sun., Dec. 16 at 5:00 p.m.: Toy Drive at Santander Arena, plus have a personal meet-and-greet with SpongeBob SquarePants with the Royals’ SpongeBob VIP Package as he visits Santander Arena. The Royals will wear SpongeBob jerseys and Allen will wear Patrick Star jerseys.Santa Sacks and Stocking Stuffers: Get ticket vouchers, autographed mini-sticks, pucks and player picturesAbout 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.