Josh Holmstrom nets overtime winner as Railers take 2-1 season opener in Reading

Worcester Railers HC at Reading Royals

October 13, 2018

Santander Arena

Meeting 1 of 6 vs. the Royals this season

Railers went 7-6-1-0 vs. the Royals last season

Josh Holmstrom nets overtime winner as Railers take 2-1 season opener in Reading

Mitch Gillam made 29 saves in net for victory

Reading, PA – The Worcester Railers HC(1-0-0-0, 2pts) opened the 2018-19 regular season with an exciting 2-1 overtime win over the host Reading Royals (0-0-1-0, 1pt) in front of 5,146 fans at the Santander Arena on Saturday evening. The two clubs will play again on Sunday at 5pm to close out the opening weekend.

Josh Holmstrom scored 1:53 into overtime, Barry Almeida also found the back of the net for Worcester and Mitch Gillam was brilliant with 29 saves in goal. Frankie DiChiara scored the only Royals goal while Branden Komm made 39 saves in the losing effort.

Each team had a power play opportunity in the opening period but only the Royals were able to find the back of then net.  Former Railers winger Frankie DiChiara (1st) buried a cross ice pass from the right circle past netminder Mitch Gillam at 8:56 on the man advantage to give Reading a 1-0 lead.  Ryan MacKinnon and David Quenneville each hit the pipe for the Railers, but Worcester could not bury one behind Royals goaltender Brandon Komm on 14 shots. Mitch Gillam had 11 first period saves as Worcester headed to the dressing room down 1-0.

Barry Almeida (1st) fired a tough angle shot from down low along the rightwing wall and found room above Branden Komm’s shoulder at 1:04 for an unassisted goal in the second period to tie the score.  Shots were 10-8 in the middle frame as the two teams headed to the intermission tied 1-1.

Worcester put the pressure on in the third period outshooting Reading 14-7 in the third period and hit the post but neither team was able to find the back of the net in the third frame.

In overtime, Mitch Gillam added three more saves before Nick Sorkin raced down the middle of the ice on a breakaway and was stopped by Branden Komm.  Sorkin was able to recover the rebound and found Josh Holmstrom (1st) at the side of the cage for the game winner at 1:53 as the Railers snagged the 2-1 road victory.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star Mitch Gillam (29 saves, Win) 2nd star: Branden Komm (39 saves, OTL) 1st star: Josh Holmstrom (OTG)….Final shots were 41-30 favor of Worcester… Branden Komm (0-0-1-0) made 39 saves on 41 shots for Reading….Mitch Gillam (1-0-0-0) made 29 saves on 30 shots for Worcester… Evan Buitenhuis was the back-up for the Railers..….Worcester went 0-for-4 on the power play while Reading went 1-for-5…. Tommy Kelley (inj), Tommy Panico (inj), Connor Graham, Bryan Arneson, Connor Doherty, and Tommy Tsicos did not dress for Worcester…. Mick Cornell wore the captain C for the Railers while Barry Almeida and Josh Holmstrom each wore an “A” for Worcester…Assistant Coach Derek Army made his professional coaching debut behind the Railers bench joining head coach Jamie Russell….the Railers had 10 players in the lineup that also played for Worcester at some point last season….Worcester dressed five rookies….the Railers went 3-5-0-0 at the Santander Arena last season….Mike Cornell and Tyler Mueller each had six shots on goal for Worcester.

What’s on tap? – Railers 2.0 begins with two games in Reading, PA vs. the Royals

On Sunday, Oct 14, the Railers battle the Royals again at the Santander Arena in Reading, PA to close out the opening weekend of the regular season.

On Saturday, Oct 20 the Worcester Railers HC host the Maine Mariners at 7:05pm on RAILERS 2.0 OPENING NIGHT!  The first 7,500 fans will receive a Railers magnet schedule courtesy of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.  One of the most popular entertainment acts in all of professional sports will perform…..the QUICK CHANGE magic act featuring David and Dania as seen on America’s Got Talent!  Doors will open early at 5:30pm at the DCU Center and fans are encouraged to be seated by 6:50pm for the opening night pregame show.  Tickets start as low as $15!

The Railers Tavern, located behind the DCU Center provides hockey fans with a great pregame and postgame atmosphere all season long. Watch all road games broadcast live at Railers Tavern or watch on ECHLTV.com for a small fee. Listen to all Railers games live on 98.9 Nash ICON with coverage beginning 30 minutes before puck drop with Eric Lindquist and Tom Tuesday Matthews. Full season memberships, mini plans, and group tickets are on sale now by calling the Railers front office at 508-365-1750 or by visiting www.RailersHC.com.

Railers 2.0….Don’t. Miss. Out!