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Nardi Forces Overtime, Smith Scores Game-Winner in Royals Comeback Victory Over Railers, 2-1

Sunday, March 24th
Nardi Forces Overtime, Smith Scores Game-Winner in Royals Comeback Victory Over Railers, 2-1

Reading, PA - The Reading Royals (26-30-5-2), proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, defeated the Worcester Railers (26-28-5-3), in overtime, 2-1, on Saturday, March 23rd at Santander Arena. Nolan Maier (15-15-3-2) earned the win in net for the Royals with 27 saves on 28 shots faced. Goaltender John Muse (13-10-2-1) suffered the loss in net for Worcester with 24 saves on 26 shots faced. 

BOX SCORE

For the second-straight game, the Railers scored the game's opening goal for an early lead, 1-0. Austin Heidemann beat Maier blocker side with a wrist shot at 3:56 into play for his first goal of his professional career.

The unassisted goal was the only goal scored at the end of 40 minutes. The Railers outshot the Royals 19 to 16 and neither team converted on their respective power plays (WOR: 0/1, REA: 0/2) through two periods.

The Royals tied the game, 1-1, at 16:35 on Joe Nardi’s 15th goal of the season on a back-door shot past Muse. Powell Connor and Tag Bertuzzi earned the assists on the equalizer to force overtime. Following a tripping infraction called on Worceseter’s Ryan Scarfo, the Royals went onto their fifth power play of the game and converted at 3:37 with a Jake Smith laser past Muse from the goal line. Yvan Mongo and Bertuzzi earned the helpers on Smith’s 16th goal of the season. 

The Royals wrap up their homestand against the Worcester Railers on Sunday, March 24th at 3:00 pm at Santander Arena.

To order tickets, visit royalshockey.com/tickets

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2024-25 Season Memberships

Royals365 Season Memberships, six-game plans, ten-game plans, and group tickets are available for the 2024-25 season now 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 in their 22nd season in the ECHL. They won their first Kelly Cup championship in 2013 and have clinched playoff berths in 12 of the previous 13 seasons. They are five-time division champions and were the 2021-22 Eastern Conference champion. The Berks County Convention Center Authority (BCCCA), founded in 1996, owns the Royals and oversees operations at Santander Arena.