ECHL Reading Royals

Booth Stone Walls Thunder in Reading Debut, 3-1

December 1, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Glens Falls, NY - Reassigned from the AHL four hours before puck drop, Reading Royals netminder Callum Booth blocked 31 shots to secure a 3-1 win over the Adirondack Thunder Saturday at Cool Insuring Arena.

Booth impressed immediately, making 11 saves in the opening half of the first. The Royals scored twice in the final 7:33 of the first, courtesy of strikes from Chris McCarthy and Adam Schmidt.

A 12-save second frame from Booth kept Reading ahead by two. In the third, Booth denied eight more and surrendered Adirondack's only goal to Conor Riley at 5:09 of the final period. Michael Huntebrinker responded with an insurance goal at the left post with 5:14 left, giving him seven goals and 19 points this season. Steven Swavely received an assist in the first period and is riding a career-long nine-game point streak (9g, 5a).

The Carolina Hurricanes reassigned Booth to the Reading Royals from the AHL's Charlotte Checkers Saturday.

Alex Sakellaropoulos denied 25 shots in defeat, snapping his four-game winning streak.

The next Royals home game is Fri., Dec. 14 vs. Allen at 7:00 p.m., featuring a 4-for-48 Family Four Pack. Get four tickets, four burgers and four sodas for $48.

The Royals travel to St. John's, NL for a battle at the Newfoundland Growlers next Fri., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 8. The puck drops at 5:30 p.m. for both contests.

Booth made 11 saves in the opening ten minutes, allowing Reading to settle in and seize momentum back. McCarthy found a knuckling puck at the left doorstep and backhanded it in with 7:33 to go in the front, providing Reading a 1-0 edge. Frank Hora had the initial shot from the right point to set it up.

Five minutes later, a well-timed breakout gave Reading a 2-on-1 rush and Schmidt buried his fourth of the season to give the Royals a 2-0 advantage. In close quarters, Steven Swavely cut out of the zone and up the middle of the ice. With bodies converging, he dipped it in front of the penalty box door for Jack Riley, who took a body check but passed it to Schmidt at the red line. He flew into the zone and tricked Sakellaropoulos with a shot at the right circle that went in halfway up the right post.

Riley pulled Adirondack within one with an even-strength tally five minutes into the final frame, finding a padded-away rebound at the left doorstep. Booth made his first 24 saves.

Next, a giveaway by the Thunder allowed Reading to beat Sakellaropoulos for the third Royals tally. McCarthy found the coughed-up puck at the right circle and MacDonald spun it off the netminder. Huntebrinker curled the rebound in seconds later five feet from the left post at 14:46.

Reading killed Adirondack's only power play (0-for-1), while the Royals failed to score on a pair of chances.

4-for-48 Family Four Pack at Next Home Game: Fri., Dec. 14 vs. Allen, 7:00 p.m.

Teddy Bear Toss: Sat., Dec. 15 vs. Allen, 7:00 p.m.

Meet Spongebob Squarepants Dec. 16 vs. Allen, 5:00 p.m.

Santa Sacks and Stocking Stuffers: Get ticket vouchers, autographed mini-sticks, pucks and player pictures

Check out the Reading Royals Statistics



ECHL Stories from December 1, 2018


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