Royals’ Winning Streak Derailed on Friday Night against Railers

Reading, PA – The winning streak ends at five for the Royals. The Railers extend their winning streak to four, a 5-0 win in downtown Reading for the team from Central Massachusetts. John Muse was perfect in his Worcester debut, he stopped all 28 he faced.

RECAP

Ryan Verrier opened the scoring firing home his first of the season on the rebound past a sliding Maier at 8:35. Exactly three minutes later, Riley Piercey netted his second of the season a one-time blast past the netminder at 11:35. Reading led the shots and seemed to have a better period than Worcester, shots 11-8 in favor of the Royals. 

The remainder of the scoring was in the second period. Zach White notched his fifth of the campaign a play set up with Joey Cipolonne coming out of the box at 6:14. Connor Welsh extended the Railers lead to four with a power play blast at 12:25 of the second. Anthony Repaci capped off the scoring for the night with his ninth of the season slotted home on the rebound at 18:28.

No goals but easily the most entertaining period from a fan’s perspective in the arena. It all started around the 14:40 mark of the frame when Keeghan Howdeshell held Matt Brown and rode into the goaltender Muse. The collision caused a big stir including a fight, Will Zmolek dropped the mitts with Worcester’s Riley Piercey. The fight that happened behind the net had Zmolek fall on Piercey on the net which had Piercey’s skate come up and cut the Royal’s defenseman in the leg. Zmolek would skate off decently just a little limp with his sock rolled down. 

Skirmish number two occurred 1:28 later behind the Royals’ net. Adam Brubacher was in a battle for the puck and was met by Anthony Callin. Callin’s high-hit caused a pile-up in the far corner resulting in Jason Binkley losing it on the official, David Lilly, and sending Binkley home a little early. Oddly enough with all the things Worcester did only one guy received a misconduct, Royals defenseman Koletrane Wilson for continuing the altercation. From the media perspective, Koletrane didn’t do much to keep it going compared to Worcester forwards. Everything would proceed and eventually be sorted and calmed down. 

Reading was 0 for 4 on the power play, and Worcester on the other end converted on 1 of their 4 power play chances. 

Nolan Maier started in his fourth straight contest, some questioning if he should’ve been exchanged but I don’t think it would have affected the outcome and with the two clubs playing again tomorrow it was probably the right decision. 

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John Muse was recently picked up by Worcester. Muse was outstanding in 2017-18 he was contracted by Lehigh Valley and played in 30 games across the regular season and playoffs. In 26 regular season contests, Muse had a record of 19-5-2 with a 2.24 GAA and .931 SV%. In Lehigh Valley, he was 11-2-2 with a 2.46 GAA and .919 SV%. 

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Final: 5-0 Worcester

Railers Record: 12 – 11 – 2 – 2 = 28 PTS

Royals Record: 10 – 13 – 1 – 1 = 22 PTS

WOR – John Muse 28 – SH | 28 – SV | 0 – GA  (W)

REA – Nolan Maier 27 – SH | 22 – SV | 5 – GA (L)

Three Stars

1. John Muse – WOR

2. Zach White – WOR

3. Anthony Repaci – WOR

Game Length: 2:28  7:01 PM EST – 9:29 PM EST  

Attendance: 3,320

Reading and Worcester continue their three-game set tomorrow and wrap up the series on Sunday. Puck drop tomorrow night is set for 7:00 p.m. Sunday’s New Year’s Eve face-off is set for 3 p.m.

Santander Arena | Reading, PA

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