Date Published: 1-27-2023
Photo Credit: Jaidin Cardona
The Royals head to downtown Massachusetts for a home-and-away weekend series against the Worcester Railers. Worcester currently sits at fourth in the North, with 43 points holding a record of 20-17-3. In their last 10 games, the Railers are 2-6-2. The Railers will face Reading four more times following tonight, including tomorrow night in Reading.
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Reading is rolling into downtown Mass on a three-game winning streak following their midweek win over the Trois-Rivières Lions. Reading sits in second place with 51 points, six points behind the north division leading Newfoundland Growlers.
The Railers started the season red hot setting an ECHL record by winning 9 straight to open the season. Since then they are 11 – 17 and have dropped down in the north division standings. The Royals opened the season slow and had a lot of fans questioning if they’d even be above .500. The Royals have found their rhythm sitting above everyone in the north except the Growlers.
For years Royal’s special teams unit has struggled, but this season it seems to be a lot more successful. They get better passes and shots on the net along with great defensive plays on the penalty kill. Reading kills almost every opposition’s power play along with scoring a power play goal a night which has played a role in their success.
Let’s take a look at goaltending, shall we? Brent Moran has a record 0-2 with a 4.69 GAA and .878 SV%. Ken Appleby who you might know for letting in that 180-foot goal when he was in net for the Bridgeport Tigers of the AHL. Appleby has a record of 9-5 -1 with a 3.23 GAA and .901 SV% with Worcester.
Collin Adams is my Worcester player to watch. He has 28 points (12 G, 16 A) in 26 games for the Railers. He only trails three points behind the team leader in points in 12 fewer games. Adams is also the only player on the roster to average above a point per game.
Reading’s goaltending situation is now in a 3-goaltender rotation. With Kaden Fulcher returning from his contract with Syracuse. A nice fact about Kaden is that he has an NHL appearance with the Red Wings back in 2018-19. In 27 minutes he made nine saves on 11 for Detroit.
Reading has won all three times they faced the Railers this season. Royals are 14-2-1 when leading after the first, and 18-1-1 when leading after the second. The Royals look to make it four straight coming off the win over the Lions Wednesday night.
