Weekly Release, Vol. 18, No. 16

Royals back on winning end heading into 4-game week

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals, proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, have three home games this week following a thrilling shootout win at Wheeling Saturday, 6-5. The high-scoring, come-from-behind win against the Nailers sets Reading up for a stretch of four games in five days, all against North Division foes. The Royals sit fifth in the North Division at 44 points, two back of third-place Manchester and Brampton.Next Home GamesWed., Jan. 30, 7:00 p.m. vs. Maine: Postgame player autograph session, pres. by Rieck’s Printing.Sat., Feb. 2, 7:00 p.m. vs. Manchester: Marvel Super Hero™ Night and Diamond Credit Union Wall of Honor Night. The Royals will wear Black Panther jerseys and honor broadcasters Mark Thompson and Pat Richards. The team will give away Thompson/Richards puck to the first 2,000 fans.Sun., Feb. 3, 2:00 p.m. vs. Manchester: Family Four Pack (4 burgers, 4 sodas and 4 tickets for $44).Team Record18-14-3-5, 44 points, 5th NorthDivision StandingsNewfoundland – 58 pointsAdirondack – 51 pointsBrampton – 46 pointsManchester – 46 pointsReading – 44 pointsMaine – 43 pointsWorcester – 43 pointsWeekly ResultsJan. 26 at Wheeling: W, 6-5 (SO)

Big Storylines1) Another four-goal periodThe Royals scored four goals in the first period Wednesday, the fifth time Reading has scored four goals in a frame this season. The four-goal output matched the team’s highest-scoring period this season. Chris McCarthy factored on all four goals (1g, 3a) and set up Brayden Low twice. Low generated his second career multi-goal game.2) Royals Player of the Week: Chris McCarthyWith a four-point first period (1g) and the shootout-winning goal in Reading’s only game of the week at Wheeling, Chris McCarthy is Reading’s Player of the Week. He has scored at least four points in a game twice this season and three times in his Reading career. His effort Saturday moved him into sole possession of fourth place on Reading’s all-time points list. He has 148 career points with Reading in three seasons.3) Weekly Preview vs. Maine, at Adirondack and vs. ManchesterThe Royals are 2-2-0-0 against the Mariners this season and Reading hosts Maine Wednesday at 7:00 for the first time since Nov. 7. Maine has won the last two season series games. Frank DiChiara and Adam Schmidt each have four points in the season series, most among active Royals.After dropping three straight to Adirondack to open the season series, Reading has won the last three games vs. the Thunder and outscored Adirondack, 8-3. The Royals are at the Thunder Friday at 7:00 p.m.To complete the three-in-three weekend, Reading returns to Santander Arena to face Manchester Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Reading is 2-2-1-1 in the series against  the Monarchs and the teams have played four times since Dec. 21, with Reading going 1-2-1-0 over those four.

Regular season team leaders Goals: Josh MacDonald (18)Assists: Chris McCarthy (32)Points: Chris McCarthy (42)PIM: Adam Marsh (42)+/-: Michael Huntebrinker (12)

Practice scheduleMonday – Santander Arena, 11:00 a.mTuesday – Santander Arena, 11:00 a.mWednesday – Game 7:00 p.m. vs. MaineThursday – Travel DayFriday – Game at Adirondack, 7:00 p.m.Saturday – Game 7:00 p.m. vs. ManchesterSunday – Game 2:00 p.m. vs. ManchesterMonday – TBDRoyals Radio Recon: Next Show Tues., Jan.  29Live 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 are in their 18th ECHL season and 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.