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Reading Royals

Dekanich Makes 50 Saves and Royals Blank Nailers, 4-0

December 17, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - Reading Royals goaltender Mark Dekanich tied a career high with 50 saves and Reading scored three quick goals in the first to shut out the Wheeling Nailers, 4-0, Friday at Santander Arena. Four Royals notched multi-point games.

Scott Tanski (1g, 1a) scored with eight minutes left in the first. Matt Willows (2g) and Michael Huntebrinker (1g, 1a) scored eight seconds apart to jet the Royals to a 3-0 edge with 1:25 to go in the frame.

Mark Dekanich made 21 saves in the second frame, matching his season-best in a period. Through two periods, Dekanich was perfect with 33 denials. In the third, he denied 17 shots. Dekanich last had 50 stops in Game 5 of the 2017 North Division Semifinals, a 2-1 OT loss to Brampton.

The Royals rematch Wheeling Sat., Dec. 16 for the annual Teddy Bear Toss game and Ugly Sweater Jerseys at 7:00 p.m. Plus, the first 2,000 fans receive a Royals Christmas ornament, presented by Met-Ed. Reading plays Adirondack Sunday at 4 p.m., featuring $5 Green Zone tickets, magnet photo frame giveaway and dollar dogs, presented by Tower Health.

Box Score

Tanski scored his first goal of the season with 8:01 to go in the frame, sniping it from the left dot to the far post. He entered the zone on the rush after Michael Huntebrinker chipped him the puck up the wall. Brian Morgan earned the secondary assist in his first ECHL game.

The end-of-first-period explosion started with Willows' eighth of the season, assisted by Chris McCarthy and Tanski. Willows shot it off his back heel from the left circle. It deflected and waffled over Morrison's left shoulder.

Off the ensuing face-off, Reading entered the zone on the left-wing side. A shot from Ryan Penny jabbed off Morrison's left pad, settling perfectly at the right circle for Huntebrinker. The rookie forward slammed home his sixth of the season. That goal gave Reading a comfortable 3-0 edge after one. Nick Luukko had the secondary assist.

With nine minutes left in the second, Willows potted his second of the night on a two-on-one with McCarthy. Willows patiently waited for a cross-ice pass at the right circle. Derek Whitmore received the secondary assist. Willows leads the Royals with 23 points this season.

The Royals were 0-for-1 on the man up and fended off all three Wheeling power-play chances.

Santa Sacks Holiday Gift

Stuff the stocking with Santa Sacks! Get an autographed Royals puck and come out to three of our biggest games for just $30.

- Sat., Jan. 20 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Brampton (Slapshot bobblehead giveaway, THON Night, Star Wars jerseys)

- Fri., Feb. 17 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Brampton (Pink in the Rink, knit scarf giveaway)

- Sat., Mar. 17 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Brampton (Yannick Tifu number retired, Meet WWE Million Dollar Man)

- Sat., Mar. 24 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Worcester (Kelly Cup Tribute puck giveaway, Autism Awareness jerseys)

- Sat., Apr. 7 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Norfolk (FANdemonium, fan appreciation, fan's choice giveaway)

- Call 610-898-PUCK and tickets are available here.

More $5 Tickets

The Royals are pleased to announce $5 tickets in the Green Zone to two more upcoming games in December!

- Sun., Dec. 17 at 4:00 p.m. vs. Adirondack (dollar dogs and player photo) | Thurs., Dec. 28 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Worcester (special Flyers jerseys, aPHILLYation night)

- Call 610-898-PUCK (7825) and tickets are available here.

About the Royals

The Royals have been owned by serial entrepreneur Jack Gulati since 2014 and are in their 17th ECHL season. 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 eight straight seasons and are four-time division champions.

Reading Royals Mobile App

Head to the App Store and Google Play to download the new Reading Royals app on your smartphone! Stay up-to-date with team news, receive notifications and purchase tickets for your next experience at Santander Arena.

Broadcast Coverage

All Royals game can be heard on Rumba 1340 AM and the iHeartRadio app by searching "Rumba 1340". The pregame show starts 15 minutes before puck drop. Watch Royals games on ECHL.tv. Reading away games are shown locally on BCTV, channel 15 Comcast, channel 19 Service Electric.

David Fine

Reading Royals Hockey | Royalshockey.com

Broadcaster, Director of Media Relations

E: dfine@royalshockey.com

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