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ECHL Reading Royals

McCARTHY AND READING CAPSIZE ADMIRALS, 7-1

February 5, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Norfolk, VA - A career-high four-point game from Chris McCarthy (2g, 2a) and three goals in the second period from the Reading Royals drowned the Norfolk Admirals, 7-1, Friday at Norfolk Scope Arena. McCarthy scored a pair of goals in the second period in his first game back from Lehigh Valley (AHL). Derek Whitmore (2g) and Matt Willows (2g) also netted multi-point games.

The Royals struck for three goals in a 4:47 span, starting with McCarthy at 7:12 of the second. Reading led, 5-1, halfway through the middle frame. Whitmore and Willows added the third-period markers to ice the game. It was Whitmore's first multi-goal game of the season.

The goal explosion forced Admirals netminder Ty Reichenbach from the game (25 saves, 5 goals allowed). Jamie Murray denied 15 shots in relief.

Willows gave the Royals a 2-0 edge in the last half of the first period, extending his point streak to a career-best eight games (5g, 13a). The reigning CCM ECHL Player of the Month tops Reading with 16 goals and 45 points.

Mark Dekanich (win, 27 saves) took his ninth win of the season.

Reading completes the weekend at the Norfolk Scope Arena Saturday at 7:00 p.m. The road trip's final game is Wed., Feb. 7 at 7:00 p.m. in Worcester. Reading is next at home Fri., Feb. 16 vs. Cincinnati at 7:00 p.m. for Hockey N' Heels Night, featuring a pink knit hat giveaway from Sweet Streets Desserts and a special ladies-only pampering session and gift certificate giveaway from Bell Tower.

The Royals struck with two goals five minutes apart to take a 2-0 edge into first intermission. Whitmore roofed his seventh of the season on a back-door pass to the left post from Michael Huntebrinker at 9:32 of the first. The Reading Captain Whitmore cut to the left post and Huntebrinker no-looked it to him on feed from behind the cage. Matias Cleland (2a) had his first point.

Next, Willows extended the edge with 5:33 to go in the first. Reading cut into the zone with Willows, Wilkins and McCarthy. Willows led the rush and fed for Wilkins, who immediately slung it cross ice to McCarthy at the left dot. Next, McCarthy directed it diagonally to Willows. With a wide-open right side of the net yawning, Willows took his time and guided a clean wrist shot past Reichenbach.

Brodie Dupont had the Ads' only goal at 1:11 of the second, cutting Reading's lead to one.

Minutes later, the Royals offense emerged again. McCarthy sniped his first of the game at the high slot with 13 minutes to go in the second, assisted by Matt Wilkins. Next, Schmidt tapped home a rebound at the right post 3:44 later. James de Haas walked the blue line and rifled a shot, deflected by Tanski and off Reichenbach's pads before Schmidt's deposit.

McCarthy scored another goal 1:03 later to knock Reichenbach from the game. Nick Neville earned his first Reading point, flying up the right wing and centering to McCarthy at the left slot.

Whitmore cruised in Reading's sixth goal and made it 6-1 at 4:01 of the third, assisted by Brian Morgan. Five minutes later, Willows found twine on a slot shot. Cleland and McCarthy had the helpers.

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.

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