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Reading Royals

Royals at Growlers Again Following Wild Opening Night

October 12, 2019 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


St. John's, NL - Coming off the highest-scoring first game in Reading Royals history, the Royals (1-0-0-0, 2 pts.) seek their second straight win at the Newfoundland Growlers (0-1-0-0, 0 pts.) Saturday at 5:30 p.m. from Mile One Centre. The Royals took the opening-night contest 6-5 against the Growlers, overcoming a three-goal first-period deficit and a one-goal third-period margin. Pascal Laberge and Brayden Low scored ten seconds apart in the third to put Reading ahead by one.

The rematch is the second of 14 games between the clubs this season. The Royals have points in three straight games (2-0-1-0) against Newfoundland dating back to 2018-19.

The 2019-20 Royals season is presented by Tower Health UPMC Health Plan.

Broadcast Coverage: Watch on BCTV (Ch. 15 Comcast, Ch. 19 Service Electric) | Listen at Mixlr.com/ReadingRoyals

The Royals play Newfoundland on Tues., Oct. 15 at 5:30 p.m. The first Royals home game on Oct. 19 vs. Maine features a massive block party, games, food, drinks and a special "Downtown Alive" concert on Penn Street before the home opener.

Highest scoring first game

The Royals and Growlers combined for 11 tallies Friday, surpassing Reading's previous high of 10 combined goals in a season opener for the highest-scoring first game in Royals history. In that 7-3 win on Oct. 11, 2002, Brian McCullough scored the game-winning strike against Wheeling and Scott Fankhouser earned the win for the Royals.

Flash forward 17 years to Friday, the Royals scored in quick succession multiple times; ten seconds apart in the third period and three times in the final six minutes of the first.

Starting hot

The Royals have earned at least one point in each of their three season openers under Kirk MacDonald. Last season, Reading forced overtime vs. Worcester (2-1 OTL); Frank DiChiara scored the Royals' first goal of the season. In 2017-18, the Royals staved off a four-goal Adirondack comeback and Derek Whitmore scored the fastest overtime tally in Reading history (:07) for a 5-4 victory.

The Royals began 2017-18 with a 7-0-0-0 home record. Last campaign, Reading started 2-0-1-1 and lost their first game on Oct. 24 to Newfoundland.

Laberge debuts with a GWG

Pascal Laberge scored with under 12 minutes to go Friday to somersault the Royals ahead, 6-5, just 11 seconds after the team trailed. Laberge's line (Cuddemi-Swavely-Laberge) contributed three of Reading's six goals and he registered four shots on cage in his first ECHL game.

A 6-foot-1 forward entering his second full season, the Flyers reassigned Laberge to Reading from Lehigh Valley on Monday. He scored five late-season goals with Lehigh Valley last season, including a hat trick vs. Rochester in March. Laberge said after Friday's win "I just want to play some games. Last season I only played 13 games...I want to play hard and get called up during the season."

Quick figures

Royals average age: 25 years old

Average height: 6-foot-1

Average weight: 189 pounds

Growlers average age: 23.5 (youngest in league)

Average height: 6-foot-1

Average weight: 190 pounds

Single-game tickets and mini-plans are on sale by visiting royalshockey.com/promotions, calling 610-898-7825 and visiting Santander Arena and The Weidenhammer Box Office at 700 Penn Street, Reading, PA.

Reading's new five-game mini-plan includes a meal for every game, a Reading Royals Hat, an exclusive fan experience, an autographed team picture and a guaranteed giveaway for each of the 5 games. Purchase your seat or seats today by calling 610-898-7825 or by visiting https://bit.ly/2LSHBp8.

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