Gooch nets Hat-Trick as Royals Steamroll Railers

The Reading Royals, proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, defeated the Worcester Railers, 6-3, Tuesday, Mar. 22 at Santander Arena. Royals goaltender Hayden Hawkey saved 22 of 25 shots while Railers goalie Ken Appleby saved 27 of 32 shots.

BOX SCORE

Worcester scored the game’s opening goal on their first of two power plays in the game. Steve Jandric deflected a shot from Cole Coskey past Hawkey’s blocker for his first professional career goal. The early lead lasted until the final 26 seconds of the period, when Garret Cockerill threw a shot on net from the blue line that went between Appleby’s pads. Cockerill’s fourth goal of the season sent the game into the second period tied 1-1.

Both teams scored a pair of goals in the middle period. Trevor Gooch tallied his first of four-points in the game with an assist on Patrik Bajkov’s 21st goal of the season. Worcester responded back with a pair of goals to take their first and only lead of the game.Max Newton scored his first goal of the season on a wrap-around attempt that had the puck bank off of Hawkey’s left pad and into the back of the net. Minutes later on a Royals’ power play, Jacob Hayhurst stripped Brad Morrison of the puck at center ice and beat Hawkey with a dangle to go as Reading’s ninth short handed goal allowed this season.

Gooch responded with his first of three goals in the game. Gooch’s second hat-trick of the season began late into the second period off of a Morrison shot that rebounded off of Appleby’s right pad. Gooch settled the puck and snapped the puck past the Railers’ netminder diving save attempt to tie the game heading into the third period, 3-3.

The top two goal scorers for Reading led a final period of regulation dominated by the Royals. Jacob Pritchard fed Thomas Ebbing a centering pass as he skated into the slot for Ebbing’s 23rd goal of the season. Trevor Gooch sealed the sixth Royals hat-trick of the season with an empty net goal. Gooch beat Matt Sredl to the puck at the top of Worcester’s zone and skated in alone on the vacant net after poke checking the puck past the Railers’ defenseman for his team leading 28th goal of the season.

The Royals host the Worcester Railers Wednesday, Mar. 23rd, at 7:00 p.m. at Santander Arena.

UPCOMING GAMES 

MENTAL HEALTH/RECOVERY NIGHT - 3/25/22

• A portion of ticket sales will benefit organizations that support mental health

AUTISM ACCEPTANCE NIGHT - 3/26/22

• Presented by Members 1st Federal Credit Union

• Philipp Grubauer bobblehead giveaway presented by Savage Auto Group

• Barbers on the concourse

• Specialty jersey

• Slapshot's birthday/Mascot Madness

• Post-Game Party presented by DoubleTree by Hilton Reading

BATTLE OF THE BADGES - 3/27/22

• Badges Game - 11:30 a.m.

• First Responders Night

• Faith and Family Night

• $1 Popcorn/$1 Nachos/$1 Hot Dogs

• Team trading cards giveaway

• Specialty jersey

• Salute to Essential Workers Sundays presented by Visions Federal Credit Union (First Responders)

Buy tickets HERE: www.royalshockey.com/promotions

Reading Royals season, flex memberships and group tickets are available for the 2021-22 season by visiting the Royals’ box office at Santander Arena or by calling 610-898-7825.

About the Royals

The Reading Royals, proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, are entering their 20th season in the ECHL. They won their first Kelly Cup championship in 2013 and have clinched playoff berths in 10 of the previous 11 seasons. They are four-time division champions. The Berks County Convention Center Authority (BCCCA), founded in 1996, owns the Royals and oversees operations at Santander Arena.