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ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Hope to Haunt Thunder on Halloween Game

October 29, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals (3-0-0-0, 6 pts., 5th North) are off to the best start in team history and celebrate Halloween at home with specialty jerseys against the Adirondack Thunder (3-2-1-0, 7 pts., T-2nd North) Sunday at 4 p.m.

Sunday's Halloween Game features a dollar-dog day, special Halloween jerseys, a Halloween costume contest and a team photo giveaway to the first 2,500 fans, brought to you by Rieck's Printing. Bid on the Halloween jerseys here.

The Royals have won their first three games in overtime and Reading beat Adirondack in overtime, 5-4, to begin the regular season. On Thursday, Alex Krushelnyski scored in the extra session against Toledo to complete a 4-3 comeback win. Chris McCarthy scored two goals in the third period to tie the game.

Following the fall festivities, the Royals start a five-game road trip next Friday at Worcester.

All these overtimes

The Royals have won three straight overtime games for the second time in team history. In 2010, Reading won three straight overtime games between Nov. 21 to Nov. 26. Matt Caruana (1:10 of OT vs. Elmira), Mikhail Stefanovich (2:02 vs. Cincinnati) and Todd Perry (1:14 vs. Cincinnati) provided the winners.

This time around, Derek Whitmore (:07 vs. Adirondack), Nolan Zajac (1:12 vs. Wheeling) and Alex Krushelnyski (4:27 vs. Toledo) have provided the winners.

Last season, Reading was 4-3 in overtime and 1-2 in shootouts. The season before, Reading was 1-6 in overtime.

Naclerio plus

Center Mark Naclerio has a plus-four rating through three games, best on the squad. Besides his excellence in the face-off circle, Naclerio has three points and scored his first Royals goal Thursday against Toledo. The second-year professional from Milford, CT scored 14 goals and 33 points in 40 games with the Atlanta Gladiators last season. He served as a captain for two years at Brown University and stayed in Providence, RI after finishing his senior season by signing with the Providence Bruins (AHL).

Naclerio's twin brother, Eric, and older brother, Craig, both played collegiate hockey.

Hot and go

The Royals are undefeated through the first three games for the first time ever. Reading's best five-game start came in 2005-06, when the club began 4-0-1-0.

In 2003-04, the Royals also started 3-0-1-0, the second-longest point streak to begin a season.

Reading won three of its first five games last season (3-1-1-0).

Season series assessment

Reading won the first game of the season, 5-4, seven seconds into overtime on a breakaway goal from Derek Whitmore. Five Royals had multi-point games and Reading took a 4-0 lead in the second period.

Matt Willows (1g, 1a), Adam Comrie (1g, 1a), Alex Krushelnyski (1g, 1a), Chris McCarthy (1g, 1a) and Adam Schmidt (2a) lead the Royals in scoring vs. the Thunder. Ty Loney (1g, 1a), Dylan Olsen (2a) and forward Pierre-Luc Mercier (2a) are best on Adirondack with two points against Reading.

Mark Dekanich (29 saves) outdueled Nick Riopel (29 saves) in the first matchup.

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