Royals punish Ads in first period, 5-1

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals scored three goals in the first six minutes and Branden Komm made 28 saves to obliterate the Norfolk Admirals, 5-1, Friday at the Norfolk Scope.

The Royals scored three goals on their first four shots and Reading led, 4-0, after one. Adam Schmidt (1g, 1a), Josh MacDonald and Michael Huntebrinker scored in a 2:46 span in the blistering start. MacDonald scored his team-leading 20th of the campaign, while Huntebrinker tagged in his 12th in his first game back from AHL Lehigh Valley. Matt Pohlkamp scored with fewer than five minutes to go in the first to create a 4-0 advantage. Chris McCarthy registered two assists and has tied a single-season high 59 points (44a).Nick Luukko tallied his seventh of the season in the third period to place Reading ahead, 5-0. Komm made his first 25 saves before yielding to Matt McMorrow at 9:16 of the third.Ty Reichenbach took the defeat with 22 saves.Reading and Norfolk rematch Sat., Mar. 2 at 7:00 p.m. The next Royals home game is Fri., Mar. 15 vs. Indy at 7:00 p.m.Box ScoreThe Royals scored the opening goal at 3:13 and then scored another pair in the next three minutes. First, David Drake cannoned a left-point shot and Schmidt ricocheted it in at the front of cage. One minute later, MacDonald received a left-slot pass from Chris McCarthy. MacDonald lasered a one-timed slap shot top twine for his first goal of the series. At 5:59 of the first, Charlie Vasaturo flipped another slot pass to Huntebrinker and the second-year forward labeled it top shelf to provide the Royals a 3-0 lead.To complete the onslaught, McCarthy twirled a feed to Pohlkamp at the right doorstep and Pohlkamp slid it by Reichenbach.In a scoreless second period, Komm added 12 more saves to increase to 22 for the game.Luukko’s power-play goal at :35 of the third and increased the edge to five. He drove into the zone up the middle, took a step to the right slot and blistered a wrist shot by Reichenbach far post. The Royals were 1-for-3 on the man up and stopped all four Admirals power-play chances.Next Home GamesFri., Mar. 15: Mental Health Awareness Night vs. Indy at 7:00 p.m.- 4-for-48 Family Four Pack: 4 tickets, 4 burgers and 4 sodas for $48 - Supporting mental health initiatives with the Royals - Enter for a chance to win a 2017 Toyota Camry, courtesy of AutoRide of Reading - Special Mental Health Awareness Jerseys- Meet Royals players after the game at DoubleTree's Cheers! Restaurant (701 Penn St.)Sat., Mar. 16: St. Hat Trick’s Day vs. Indy at 7:00 p.m.- Chance to win $10,000 if Royals player gets a hat trick- Free kids ticket game: Receive 1 free kids ticket (14 and under) for every adult ticket purchased- Ice Angels Dance Team poster giveaway and postgame autographs, pres. by Rieck's Printing- Enter for a chance to win a 2017 Toyota Camry, courtesy of AutoRide of Reading- Special St. Hat Trick's Day JerseysFri., Mar. 22: $1 Beer Night at 7:00 p.m. vs. Newfoundland- $1 Draft Beer- Enter for a chance to win a 2017 Toyota Camry, courtesy of AutoRide of ReadingGroup tickets start at $11 for all Royals home games.In the Community: Royals “Bleed Purple,” donate blood with Miller Keystone Blood Center Mar. 26The Reading Royals have teamed up with the Miller Keystone Blood Center for the team’s “Bleed Purple Blood Drive” event, which will happen Mar. 26 from 2:00-7:00 p.m. at Santander Arena. Meet Royals players and mascot Slapshot. Sign up for a donation time slot at GiveaPint.org/Reading-Royals or by emailing community@royalshockey.com with contact information. Call 610-898-7253 with additional questions.

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.