Reading Royals at Worcester Railers HC
January 31, 2020
DCU Center
Meeting 8 of 13 vs. Reading this season
Railers are 5-3-0-0 vs. the Royals this season
Royals Squash the Railers 5-1
Nic Pierog scores team leading 18thgoal of season
Worcester, MA – The Worcester Railers HC (17-26-2-0, 36pts)began the weekend falling 5-1 on Friday night to the Reading Royals (24-14-5-0, 53pts)in front of 2,917 fans at the DCU Center on Saturday night.The Railers host Reading on Saturday night at 7pm for a zamboni coin bank giveaway courtesy of Cornerstone Bank before a rare Sunday off.
The lone goal of the first period would come from Trevor Gooch (7th) at 7:05 when he was able to send one by Jakub Skarek in tight to give Reading a 1-0 lead. The Railers outshot the Royals 14-10 but trailed 1-0 through 20 minutes of play.
Reading broke free in the middle frame and it started with former Railer Matt Gaudreau (11th) from below the left circle roofing one over the right shoulder of Skarek to take a 2-0 advantage. Worcetser would surrender two goals in a 2:38 span first it was Thomas Ebbing (7th) at 4:11 and then Trevor Gooch (8th) to give Reading a 4-0 leading. Jakub Skarek was pulled after the socre as Evan Buitenhuis came in relief and allowed the hat trick score from Trevor Gooch (9th) with five minutes to go in the second period when he zipped one low blocker from the right circle. With under a minute to go Nic Pierog (18th) would get Worcester on the scoreboard when he gloved down a pass from Ben Thomson on the top of the crease and backhanded a shot over the right shoulder of Kirill Ustimenko at 19:05 to cut the deficit down to 5-1. Reading took a 5-1 lead into the dressing room after 40 minutes of play.
The two teams would play a scoreless third period as the Railers outshot Reading 14-5 but would end up falling 5-1 to the Royals.
Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Rob Michel (0-2-2, +3) 2nd star: Thomas Ebbing (1-0-1, +3) 1st star: Trevor Gooch (3-1-4, +4) …. final shots were 37-25 in favor of Worcester….Kirill Ustimenko (17-4-5) made 36 saves on 37 shots for Reading…. Jakub Skarek (2-5-1) made 10 saves on 14 shots for Worcester and was pulled with 13:11 to go in the second period…. while Evan Buitenhuis came in relief and made 10 saves on 11 shots in 33:10 of play…. Worcester went 0-for-3 on the power play while Reading went 1-for-2…., JD Dudek (IR), Kyle Thomas (IR), Yanick Turcotte (IR), Tanner Pond (IR), Jack Macnee, and Phil Johansson, Dylan Sadowy (TRV) did not dress for Worcester…. Mike Cornell, David Quenneville, Linus Soderstrom, and are all with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers…. Jakub Skarek was reassigned from the New York Islanders earlier this morning…. Jordan Samuels-Thomas was suspended by the club on Thursday as he has left to pursue opportunities in Europe…. Nic Pierog snapped a seven game pointless skid and led all skaters with eight shots…. The Railers have been outscored 20-4 in their last four games despite outshooting their opponents 129-114…. Worcester finished the month of January (6-8) dropping seven of their last eight…. ‘Cruisin’ Bruce Palmer, Chuck Perks, Adam Webster, and Keith Stephens dropped the puck for 100FM The Pike classic hits night…. the Railers are now 13-16-1-0 under GM/coach Cunniff…. The Railers are now 16-11-1 all-time vs. the Royals and 9-3-1-0 at the DCU Center….
What’s on tap – Four Game Home-Stand Comes to an End!
On Saturday, Feb 1 the Railers host the Reading Royals at 7pm on a BIG GAME SATURDAYwith a Zamboni coin bank giveaway courtesy of Cornerstone Bank. Saturday Night Signingswill feature a Railers player(s) signing autographs during the first intermission in the Fallon Health Pavilion. Tickets are as low as $15!
Don’t forget… Ricky Duran from the Voicewill perform the national anthem on Saturday, Feb 8 on PINK in the RINK Nightto benefit the Cup Crusaders. Score a VIP meet and greet package with Ricky Duran by calling the Railers front office at 508-365-1750.
Bring a group of 10 or more people to the game and save BIG $$$$ off Box Office pricing and receive a Railers hat for everyone in your group! Plus, score a Railers experience…Zamboni rides, High-Five Tunnel, post-game photo on ice, and more! Call 508-365-1750 for your customized group experience!
Still and Stir located behind the DCU Center provides hockey fans with a great pregame and postgame atmosphere all season long. Watch all road games broadcast live on ECHLTV.comfor 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 Cam McGuire. Full season memberships, mini plans, and group tickets are on sale now by calling the Railers front office at 508-365-1750or by visiting www.RailersHC.com.
Worcester Railers Hockey….Ride the Train!