Royals tie most-lopsided win in team history, 8-0

Watch: Kirk MacDonald postgame interview

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals tied their most-productive period in team history (6 goals) and their most-lopsided win ever with an 8-0 victory over the Maine Mariners Wednesday at Santander Arena. Tom McCollum (21 saves) registered his first Royals shutout and the 14th blanking of his pro career.Most-lopsided wins in Royals history: both 8-0 wins: Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 vs. Maine | Feb. 16, 2018 vs. CincinnatiMax Willman and Hayden Hodgson each registered four points (1g, 3a) in the second period and six Royals scored in the middle frame; Garret Cockerill, Thomas Ebbing, Corey Mackin and Matthew Strome (1g, 1a) joined the middle-20 runaway.Willman led the way with five points (1g)  in his first game back from the AHL, the 16th time in team history a Reading player has had at least five points. The team record is six.The Royals visit Adirondack (Feb. 28-29, 7:00 p.m. start times) and Worcester (Mar. 1, 3:05 p.m.) this weekend. Reading’s next home game is Sun., Mar. 8 vs. Brampton at 4:00 p.m. for First Responders Night, pres. by Met-Ed.Box ScoreSecond period explosionThe second frame was part of a greater season storyline; with the six-goal second, the Royals have scored at least one goal in 20 straight middle periods. The first five goals came in a span of 7:45. Strome whacked in the sixth goal at 12:00. The six-goal span lasted 10:55 starting with Hodgson’s high-slot snipe. The two Maine netminders allowed six goals and made eight saves in the second. Connor LaCouvee (13 saves, loss) was yanked after giving up four goals in 26:54, the last of which came against Thomas Ebbing (assisted by Hodgson and David Drake). Francois Brassard made 12 stops in relief (4 GA).Where there’s a Will(man)...The Lehigh Valley Phantoms loaned Max Willman to Reading on earlier Wednesday. He had been with the Phantoms since Dec. 15, 2019 and scored seven points (3g) in 20 AHL games. Prior to his AHL stint, Willman had 15 points (5g) with the Royals in 16 games.Willman added five points to his total Wednesday, starting with the Royals’ second goal. He registered three assists in the second period and four overall. It marks his best single-game total with the Royals. His last multi-point ECHL game was on Dec. 13, when he scored twice in a 5-2 win against Brampton. Multiple MilestonesFour players recorded offensive milestones; Hodgson tallied his 10th goal of the season, the first time he’s reached double-digits in goals since the 2016-17 season when he was an alternate captain for Saginaw of the OHL and scored 38 times.Mackin scored his 20th goal of the season, while Willman’s five points put him at 20 total for the campaign. Forward Brayden Low recorded his 20th assist this season. He last reached the 20-helper mark in 2017-18 with 22 for Quad City.Deep DominationSeven of the Royals’ eight goals came at even strength, and every skater recorded a +1 or better on the night. Eleven players contributed on the score sheet with five notching multi-point games. Mackin led all skaters with five shots. During the six-goal second period, the Royals took 14 shots on net, a period high for the game. The Mariners’ goaltenders posted a combined .756 save percentage for the game. Upcoming Home Games: royalshockey.com/promotions Sun.,  Mar. 8 at 4:00 p.m. vs. Brampton (First Responders Game, Pres. by Met-Ed)Game pres. by Met-Ed - the Reading Fire/Police squads face the Allentown squads before the game at 12:30 p.m. - 1 ticket includes admission to both games |  $1 Hot Dogs, Sodas and Nachos | Touch a Truck Event for Kids | Faith & Family Night - Church Group Rates Available | Heaven’s Thunder music performance | Last Postgame Party of the season with players at Cheers! Restaurant at the DoubleTree Hotel.Fri., Mar. 13 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Norfolk (Mental Health Awareness Night)If a Royals player records a hat trick at the game, one fan will win $10,000 | Special Theme Jersey | Green Ice for the First Time in Royals History | Mental Health Awareness Night | College ID Night: $5 tickets with valid college ID at box office| $1 Green Beer and $1 Domestic Beers | Deibler Dental Royals and Flyers Alumni Coaster Set GiveawaySat., Mar. 14 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Norfolk (Autism Awareness, Scout and Teacher Appreciation) Sensory-friendly game, with subdued atmosphere with music and lighting, plus quiet spaces in the arena | Green Ice3 Lucky Fans will each get to pick a player they think will score a Hat Trick in a contest to win a Jeep Compass Limited | Autism Awareness jerseys | Scout & Teacher Night | BSOHA Royals Puck Giveaway | $1 Rainbow treat or Dippin’ Dots | Diaper Drive to benefit Mary’s Shelter in ReadingAbout the RoyalsThe Royals are in their 19th ECHL season and are proudly affiliated with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The Royals won the Kelly Cup in 2013, have made the playoffs 14 times, and are four-time division champions. The Berks County Convention Center Authority (BCCCA), founded in 1996, owns the Royals and oversees operations at Santander Arena and the Santander Arena Performing Arts Center.Listen to all Royals broadcasts at Mixlr.com/ReadingRoyals or by downloading the Mixlr App from the App Store or Google Play. All Royals away games are broadcasted on BCTV (Ch. 15 Comcast, Ch. 19 Service Electric) and Mixlr.