Railers win season high fifth straight with 2-1 overtime victory in Reading

Worcester Railers HC at Reading Royals

April 4, 2018

Santander Arena

Meeting 14 of 14 vs. Royals this season

Worcester finished 7-6-1-0 vs. Reading this season

Railers win season high fifth straight with 2-1 overtime victory in Reading

Worcester is now three points ahead of Wheeling for the final playoff spot in the North Division

Reading, PA – The Worcester Railers HC (36-26-4-4, 80pts) picked up a season high fifth straight win with a 2-1 overtime victory over the host Reading Royals (37-24-9-0, 83pts) in front of 2,524 fans at the Santander Arena on Wednesday evening. Worcester closes out the regular season schedule with a home and home series vs. the Monarchs beginning on Saturday at 6pm in Manchester.

Barry Almeida scored just 90 seconds into the overtime period while Matty Gaudreau also found the back of the net for Worcester as Mitch Gillam made 30 saves in his 13thstraight start in net for his 23rd win of the season as the Railers are now three points ahead of the Wheeling Nailers for the final playoff spot in the North Division – both teams have just two games left.  Worcester can clinch a playoff spot on Friday if Wheeling loses in Brampton on Friday.

Worcester outshot Reading 15-10 in a scoreless first period as goaltenders Mitch Gillam and Brenden Komm each stood tall in net.  The Railers led the way physically to set the tone for the rest of the hockey game as we headed into the first intermission scoreless.

Matty Gaudreau (12th) gave Worcester a 1-0 lead as he followed his own rebound with a quick shot past netminder Brenden Komm assisted by Barry Almeida and Dylan Willick at 3:44. After an icing call on the Railers, Adam Schmidt sent a puck through the crease on a wrap-around attempt that went off the skate of Steven Swavely (12th) at 13:04.  Worcester held a 28-20 shot advantage through 40 minutes of play as the two clubs were tied 1-1.

Mitch Gillam made 11 saves in the third period to keep the game knotted at 1-1 as the shots were 33-31 in favor of Worcester through 60 minutes of play.

In overtime, Kyle McKenzie skated into the offensive zone and found Barry Almeida (22nd) on the leftwing side as Barry sent a backhander through the pads of Brenden Komm just 90 seconds into the extra frame to give Worcester the 2-1 road victory.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Mitch Gillam (30 saves, Win) 2nd star: Brenden Komm (32 saves) 1st star: Barry Almeida (OTG, Assist) …Final shots were 34-31 in favor of Worcester…Branden Komm (14-9-4) made 32 saves on 34 shots for Reading… Mark Dekanich was the backup for the Royals…. Mitch Gillam (23-14-2) made 30 saves on 31 shots in his 21st start in the last 22 games for Worcester and his 13thstraight start overall… Will King was the backup goaltender for the Railers…. Worcester went 0-for-1 on the power play while Reading went 0-for-1…Josh Monk (inj), Chris Langkow (inj), Tommy Kelley (inj), Connor Doherty, Dwyer Tschantz, Josh McArdle, and Maurizio Colella did not dress for Worcester…. Kellen Jones, Eamon McAdam, Yanick Turcotte, Jeff Kubiak and Kyle Schempp are currently on recall with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers…. the Railers are closing out the season with seven games in 12 days….Barry Almeida (2-6-8) now has a five game point streaks…Matty Gaudreau (2-2-4) now has a three-game point streak…Worcester finished with a 3-5-0-0 record at the Santander Arena this season…the five game win streak is a season high for Worcester as the Railers are now 10-1-1 in their last 12 games overall…Frankie DiChiara picked up his first professional fighting major after he fought Matt Willows in the third period – Willows had run over Mitch Gillam…Mike Cornell led the Railers with six shots on goal.

What’s on tap? – Railers continue to battle for a playoff spot!

On Saturday, April 7 the Railers play their final road game with a 6pm start in Manchester, NH vs. the Monarchs.

On Sunday, April 8 the Worcester Railers HC host the Manchester Monarchs at 3:05pm on FAN APPRECIATION DAYwith a BOSTON BRUINS ALUMNI GAMEto benefit Why Me. It is also a KIDS GIVEAWAY SUNDAYwith the 1st1,000 kids 12-and-under receiving a Railers HC flashlightpresented by CHH Engraving, Inc with doors opening at 12pm. There will be a TON of giveaways and prizesthroughout the game and three lucky fans will have the opportunity to win a car with the PRIME FORD Shoot to Winduring an intermission!The DCU Center doors open at 12pm for the Bruins Alumni Game…. Railers puck drop is at 3:05pm. Stick around after the game for a postgame autograph sessionwith the Railers players! Last chance to catch the Railers this regular season…tickets as low as $15…or score a FAMILY FUN PACKwhich includes 4 tickets, 4 hotdogs, and 4 sodas for just $80!

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 ICONwith coverage beginning 30 minutes before puck drop with Eric Lindquistand Tom Matthews. 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.