Royals return to home ice to face off with Railers

The Reading Royals, proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, play the Worcester Railers Wednesday, Mar. 2 at 7:00 p.m. at Santander Arena. This is the eighth of 12 meetings between the two teams this regular season. The Railers are 3-1-1 in their last five games while the Royals have won four-straight games.

Reading defeated Worcester in their last meeting, 6-2, Saturday, Jan. 8 at Santander Arena.

A three goal game for Patrick Bajkov and 28-save performance from Kirill Ustimenko in net propelled the Royals over the Railers to improve Reading’s season series lead over Worcester to 5-2-0.  

After a three goal first period for the Royals, the Railers drew the game back within a goal heading into the final period of regulation. Royals forward Brayden Low received a game misconduct and five-minute major penalty for spearing Karl Boudrias. On the power play, the Railers scored two quick goals to make the game a nail-biter. Anthony Repaci scored seconds into the power play, while New York Islanders prospects Cole Coskey scored his first ECHL goal to make it 3-2.

It was 3-2 in the third period until Jackson Cressey finished off tic-tac-toe passing in the blue paint with 1:55 to go in the game to extend the Royals lead, 4-2. Grant Cooper scored an empty-netter seconds later before Bajkov recorded his second hat trick of the season with 31 seconds left in the game on Poreda. 

The Royals hold first place in the North Division as they return to divisional play for two-straight games against Worcester. Reading holds a 27-12-6-1 record with a .663 point percentage. They sit ahead of the Newfoundland Growlers who are in second with a .625 point percentage. The divisional standings follow with Trois-Rivières in third hoisting a .581 point percentage and Worcester in fourth with a .522 point percentage, while Maine sits in fifth with a .510 point percentage. Adirondack is in last place with a .435 point percentage in 46 games.

UPCOMING GAMES

READING PREMIUM NIGHT PRESENTED BY SLY FOX TAPHOUSE - 3/5/22

• $1 Reading Premium drafts

• Scout Night

• Frank DiChiara bobblehead giveaway presented by Savage Auto Group

• Coaster giveaway presented by Deibler Dental

• Specialty jersey

AFFILIATION NIGHT - 3/18/22

• Affiliation Night presented by Enersys

• Flyers Friday presented by Deibler Dental

• Gritty Appearance

• Kirill Ustimenko bobblehead giveaway, presented by Savage Auto Group

• PA Lotto giveaway

• Specialty jersey

• 4 for $48 - 4 tickets, 4 burgers, 4 sodas

ST.HATTRICK’S NIGHT - 3/19/22

• Green Ice

• Retro lunchbox giveaway presented by Deibler Dental

• $10,000 giveaway

• Speciality jersey

• Green beer 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.