Weekly Release, Vol. 18, No. 23

Royals start season-long five-game home stand Friday  

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals, proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, host three games this weekend, starting Friday with $1 Draft Beers vs. Newfoundland, as the club embarks on the final eight games of the regular season. The $1 Drafts, pres. by Deibler Dental, kick off a jam-packed promotional weekend at Santander Arena, which continues Sat., Mar. 23 at 7:00 p.m. when Anthony Myers launches “The Anthony Myers Movement” at the Royals game vs. the Growlers. The Anthony Myers Movement will help those battling medical difficulties.Reading hosted a season-high crowd of 5,747 fans Friday vs. Indy and the Royals won, 5-2. Between the two Royals home games Friday and Saturday, Reading drew 9,921 through the gates last weekend.The Royals sit seven points out of the fourth and final North Division playoff spot and Reading picked up two points last week, earning a 5-2 win vs. Indy Friday at Santander Arena. Reading is 4-5-0-0 over its last nine games.Next Home GamesFri., Mar. 22: $1 Beer Night at 7:00 p.m. vs. Newfoundland, pres. by Deibler Dental- $1 Draft Beer- Enter for a chance to win a 2017 Toyota Camry, courtesy of AutoRide of Reading

Sat., Mar. 23 The Anthony Myers Movement Night and American Cancer Society Night: 7:00 p.m. vs. Newfoundland- 3rd Night honoring the American Cancer Society with specialty jerseys -  Enter for a chance to win a 2017 Toyota Camry, courtesy of AutoRide of ReadingSun., Mar. 24 Scout Night: 4:00 p.m. vs. Worcester- Scout Night at the Royals- Pregame Scout activities 1:30pmGroup tickets start at $11 for all Royals home games.ECHL LeaderboardChris McCarthy: 2nd in points (66) | 2nd in assists (48)Weekly ScheduleMar. 22 vs. Newfoundland: Santander Arena, 7:00 p.m.Mar. 23 vs. Newfoundland: Santander Arena, 7:00 p.m.Mar. 24 vs. Worcester: Santander Arena, 4:00 p.m.Team Record27-28-4-5, 63 points, 7th NorthDivision StandingsNewfoundland - 84 pointsAdirondack - 76 pointsMaine - 71 pointsManchester - 70 pointsWorcester - 69 pointsBrampton - 66 pointsReading - 63 pointsWeekly ResultsMar. 15 vs. Indy, W, 5-2Mar. 16 vs. Indy, L, 5-1Mar. 17 at Adirondack, L, 6-3Storylines 1) McCarthy one off thirdChris McCarthy is second in the league with 48 assists and his next will tie him with Ryan Cruthers for third on Reading’s single-season assists list. McCarthy generated his 18th multi-point game of the season Sunday at Adirondack (1g, 1a) and has three points (1g) in his last two games. The Collegeville, PA native has 172 points with Reading, fourth in team history.If McCarthy reaches 70 points, he will become the ninth Reading player ever to score at least 70 in a single season.2) Taking the lead into the thirdThe Royals have led in the third period three times in the last four games. Mar. 10 at Brampton, Reading earned its second come-from-behind win when trailing after two periods, rattling off three straight in its most-prolific third-period output of the second half.3) Down the stretch vs. the North Down by seven points for fourth in the North, the Royals will play seven of its final eight against divisional opponents; two vs. Adirondack, two vs. Maine, two vs. Newfoundland and one vs. Worcester. The Royals’ only non-divisional foe is Wheeling and the Nailers come to Reading Mar. 30.  Regular season team leaders Goals: Josh MacDonald (24)Assists: Chris McCarthy (48)Points: Chris McCarthy (66)PIM: Jacob Graves (78)+/-: Michael Huntebrinker (+9)Practice scheduleMonday – OFF DAYTuesday – TBDWednesday – Practice, 11:00 a.m., Santander ArenaThursday – Practice, 11:00 a.m., Santander ArenaFriday – Game vs. Newfoundland, 7:00 p.m.Saturday – Game vs. Newfoundland, 7:00 p.m.Sunday – Game vs. Worcester, 4:00 p.m.Monday – OFF DAYRoyals Radio Recon: Next Show Tues.,  Mar.  19Live 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.