Weekly Release: Vol. 18, No. 17

Weekly Release, Vol. 18, No. 17:Royals host Pink in the Rink Night Saturday

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals, proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, continue a heavy February slate with two home games against Brampton and a pair of road contests at Norfolk this week. Reading won twice last week, including a 6-1 victory over Manchester Sunday at Santander Arena. The Royals impressed the home crowd by scoring the game's first four goals and a 2-for-2 effort on the power play. Reading is home on Sat., Feb. 9 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Brampton for Pink in the Rink Night, benefitting the American Cancers Society and Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks County. Five dollars from every ticket sold will go back to the American Cancer Society.Also of note, Frank Hora has returned from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and notched his first goal of the season for the Royals on Jan. 30 against Maine. Chris McCarthy is tied for second in the ECHL with 36 assists.Next Home GamesSat., Feb. 9: Pink in the Rink vs. Brampton at 7:00 p.m.1) 2nd of 3 games honoring the American Cancer Society2) Royals will wear specialty pink jerseys3) Ladies Night4) Enter for a chance to win a 2017 Toyota Camry, courtesy of AutoRide of ReadingMon., Feb. 11: Player Cards and Player Autograph session vs. Brampton at 7:00 p.m.Postgame player autograph session and player card giveaway, pres. by Rieck's PrintingWed., Feb. 20: Player Cards and Player Autograph session vs. Maine at 7:00 p.m.Postgame player autograph session and player card giveaway, pres. by Rieck's PrintingTeam Record20-16-3-5, 48 points, T-4th NorthDivision StandingsNewfoundland – 60 pointsAdirondack – 55 pointsManchester – 50 pointsReading – 48 pointsBrampton – 48 pointsWorcester – 46 pointsMaine – 45 pointsWeekly ResultsJan. 30 vs Maine: W, 3-1Feb. 1 vs Adirondack: L, 4-2Feb. 2 vs Manchester: L, 3-0Feb. 3 vs Manchester: W, 6-1Big Storylines 1) Bouncing BackThe Royals dominated Sunday with their most-lopsided victory of the season, 6-1, vs. Manchester after absorbing a 3-0 shutout loss the previous day to the Monarchs.After failing to score on 33 shots Saturday, Reading struck twice in the opening four minutes and held a 3-0 lead by the end of the first period. Reading has scored first 23 times in 43 games this season, notching 13 wins when tallying the opening goal.2) Strength in NetCallum Booth stopped 33 shots (1 GA) on Sun., Feb. 3 against Manchester, the most saves he’s had in an ECHL win this season. Booth now holds an 8-6-0-1 record to go along with a 2.68 goals against average and .906 save percentage. His netminder partner, Andrew D’Agostini, became the first goalie in Royals history to earn at least a point in his first six Royals decision after winning last Wednesday vs. Maine. He is 5-1-1-0 record after the Sat., Feb. 2 loss against Manchester despite blocking 35 shots (2 GA). He possesses a 2.30 goals against average and .929 save percentage.Devin Buffalo is Reading’s third goaltender on the active roster; though yet to appear for the Royals, Buffalo won three of five appearances with Adirondack before the Royals acquired him in January.3) “Frank”ly these guys are goodBoth forward Frank DiChiara and defenseman Frank Hora put up points for Reading over the past week. Hora notched his first goal of the season with Reading in Jan. 31’s 3-1 win against Maine, while DiChiara tallied his sixth power-play goal of the season on Feb. 3 and remains the team’s man-up goals leader. He is tied for second on the team with 13 goals. 

Regular season team leaders Goals: Josh MacDonald (18)

Assists: Chris McCarthy (36)

Points: Chris McCarthy (47)

PIM: Jacob Graves (66)

+/-: Michael Huntebrinker (12)

Practice scheduleMonday – OFFTuesday – Travel DayWednesday – Game at Norfolk, 7:00 p.m.Thursday – Practice in Norfolk, noonFriday – Game at Norfolk, 7:00 p.m.Saturday – Game 7:00 p.m. vs. BramptonSunday – TBDMonday – Game 7:00 p.m. vs. BramptonRoyals Radio Recon: Next Show Mon., Feb.  4Live 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.