Game Story


Reading, PA — The Worcester Railers improved to a 13-11-3-2 record, picking up five points with two wins and an overtime loss in a 3-in-3 series against the Reading Royals to close out the 2023 calendar year.

While some traveled to Reading and others watched from home, I caught Friday’s night game from my couch and took Saturday and Sunday off and instead headed to New York City for two Phish shows at Madison Square Garden. Sunday was a legendary night as the band played guitarist Trey Anastasio’s college thesis, The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday, better known as “Gamehendge”, for the first time in almost 30 years – 1994. Side note, that’s how long Worcester Hockey fans have waited for a championship here. No matter your take, it was long overdue and Worcester fans are long overdue. The show featured a full cast of actors, dozens of dancers, aerialists, enormous puppets, a custom-built rhombus stage set, and a colossal flying mockingbird that flew around the arena as the band told the adventure of Colonel Forbin, a retired colonel from Long Island, NY, who enters the land of Gamehendge to rescue a sacred book called the Helping Friendly Book from an evil dictator named Wilson. This is the same kind of shenanigans the band pulled when they called the Worcester Centrum home during their New Year’s runs back in the 90s. Photos and a recap of the show can be found over here, as we wait for the pro-shot video. Anyway, I made it back to Worcester on Monday with plenty to catch up on from the previous couple of nights…

So, back to the Railers, they’ve climbed to third in the North Division with a 6-2-1-1 record in their last ten games, with 11 points in their last six. Despite some goaltending movement, the Railers showed no signs of slowing down with the momentum that was built during the “Home for the Holidays” series from the previous weekend. New-to-Worcester goalies John Muse and Kaden Fulcher both made their Railers debuts, interestingly enough they played against their former team, the Reading Royals at the Santander Arena this past weekend. Railers were without Henrik Tikkanen for this trip as he was recalled to replace Ken Appleby in Bridgeport’s lineup on Friday, as Appleby was called up on an emergency basis but returned later on Saturday.

Friday: Railers 5, Royals 0

On Friday, the Railers shut out the Royals 5-0 in John Muse’s Railers debut and first ECHL game since February 5, 2019. It’s noted it was also his first ECHL shutout in five years, occurring on New Year’s Eve 2018. It was a team effort as five different Railers scored – Ryan Verrier, Riley Piercey, Zach White, Connor Welsh, and Anthony Repaci each scored for Worcester, while Blade Jenkins had three assists. Verrier’s goal was his first ECHL goal and opened the scoring which was followed up by another by Riley Piercey to close out the first period. The goals didn’t stop coming as Zach White made it 3-0, then 4-0 by Connor Welsh, and then five by Anthony Repaci. Welsh skated in his 100th game and had two points for his first multi-point game as a Railer. Anthony Repaci scored his 59th goal as a Railer, and as of Sunday, he is still a goal short of tying Barry Almeida as the Railers’ all-time goal-scoring leader.

In the penalty-filled third period, physicality dominated, accumulating 36 minutes in penalties, including minors, majors, and a 10-minute game misconduct for abuse of officials. Reading’s assistant coach Jason Brinkley was thrown out of the game after Anthony Callin was issued just a minor penalty at 16:08 in the period with Brendan Robbins and Koletrain Wilson getting into it on the ice.

Over in Bridgeport, Henrik Tikkanen made 34 saves in his AHL debut, doing his part in the 6-5 overtime victory for the Islanders for the ninth win of the season on Friday. Tikkanen served as the backup to Appleby on Saturday.

Saturday: Royals 4, Railers 3 (OT)

It was a dicey battle on Saturday with Ashton Calder out of the lineup for Worcester, who had previously appeared in every game this season. Kaden Fulcher made his Railers debut and in his fifth game of the season, is still looking for his first win after the Railers dropped that contest 4-3 in overtime. Blade Jenkins had another multi-point night with a goal on the power play that sent the game into overtime, he also had an assist on John Copeland’s first professional goal earlier in the game.

The Railers seized an opportunity on the power play early, with Daylan Kuefler scoring at 5:55 in the first period. Tag Bertuzzi quickly equalized for the Royals, making it 1-1 just four minutes later. In the second, the Railers regained the lead with John Copeland scoring a second after a Royals penalty expired. The Royals responded with a power play goal by Shane Sellar, tying the score at 2-2 with under a minute left on a man advantage and in the period. Matt Brown then gave Reading a 3-2 lead, but a late Railers power play allowed Jenkins to tie it at 3-3. In overtime, the Royals secured a 4-3 victory on an odd-man rush by Brown and Bertuzzi.

Sunday: Railers 2, Royals 1

On Sunday, the Railers and Royals closed out the series with a Matinee match with Muse back in the net and Calder back in the lineup. Joey Cipollone scored early for the Railers, extending a streak of power-play goals to five straight games, while Ashton Calder scored the game-winner to put the Railers up 2-1 on New Year’s Eve. Muse allowed just one goal in both games played this weekend after facing 60 shots.

John Muse’s solid goaltending in the first period, with 11 saves, kept Worcester ahead. Joey Cipollone’s power-play goal gave Worcester a 1-0 lead after the opening period. The second period remained scoreless for both teams, with Muse making 15 saves, even as Worcester was outshot 15-7. In the third, Matt Brown equalized for the Royals at 4:31, while Ashton Calder secured the game-winning goal with a top-shelf one-timer, clinching the victory for Worcester with 10:23 left in regulation.

Coming Up

It’ll be a unique weekend with the Railers hosting the Trois-Rivières Lions twice at the DCU Center before heading to Portland Sunday to face the Mariners for the last trip up there this season. We’ll be back to regular coverage for next weekend, and bearing cooperation with the weather, we’ll be making the Maine trip to close out the weekend.

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Box Score

Friday’s Box Score

Scoring 1 2 3 T
2 3 0 5
0 0 0 0
Shots 1 2 3 T
8 11 8 27
11 6 11 28
Score Team Time Scored by Assisted by Type
1 – 0 8:35 – 1st R. Verrier (1) A. Calder, Z. White
2 – 0 11:55 – 1st R. Piercey (2) B. Jenkins, C. Welsh
3 – 0 6:14 – 2nd Z. White (5) J. Cipollone
4 – 0 12:25 – 2nd C. Welsh (3) A. Repaci, B. Jenkins PP
5 – 0 18:28 – 2nd A. Repaci (9) B. Jenkins, A. Callin

Rosters

# Player G A +/- SH PIM
G 35 K. Fulcher 0 0 0 0 0
G 40 J. Muse 0 0 0 0 0
D 3 R. Verrier 1 0 +2 2 0
F 5 Z. White 1 1 +2 3 0
F 9 Q. Ryan 0 0 0 0 0
F 11 A. Bakanov 0 0 0 3 0
F 12 J. Cipollone 0 1 +1 0 2
F 15 B. Robbins 0 0 +1 0 4
F 16 A. Calder 0 1 +1 4 0
F 17 K. Howdeshell 0 0 +1 0 2
F 19 B. Jenkins 0 3 +2 1 0
F 22 D. Kuefler 0 0 +1 2 0
D 26 C. Welsh 1 1 +1 3 0
D 27 J. Copeland 0 0 +3 3 0
F 29 R. Piercey 1 0 +1 1 5
F 44 A. Callin 0 1 +2 2 2
D 70 Z. Garat 0 0 0 1 2
F 81 A. Repaci 1 1 +1 1 0
D 88 A. Kulakov 0 0 +1 1 0
Team: 2
Totals: 5 9 20 27 19
Player MIN SH SVS GA SV%
40 J. Muse (W) – 28 28 0 –
Totals: – 28 28 0 –
# Player G A +/- SH PIM
G 32 P. Gahagen 0 0 0 0 0
G 73 N. Maier 0 0 0 0 0
D 3 A. Karashik 0 0 -2 4 0
D 5 W. Zmolek 0 0 -1 0 5
F 9 B. Hoffmann 0 0 0 1 0
D 12 M. Millman 0 0 -1 3 0
F 16 S. Sellar 0 0 0 1 0
F 17 T. Fawcett 0 0 -2 2 2
F 18 J. Nardi 0 0 -2 3 0
F 19 B. Guy 0 0 -2 2 0
F 20 A. Master 0 0 0 0 0
F 21 T. Bertuzzi 0 0 -3 1 0
F 27 R. Chyzowski 0 0 -1 2 0
D 28 A. Brubacher 0 0 -2 5 0
D 29 K. Wilson 0 0 -2 0 14
F 37 M. Brown 0 0 -2 0 2
F 49 J. Bricknell 0 0 0 0 0
D 57 K. Johnson 0 0 0 1 0
F 77 D. Paliani 0 0 0 3 0
Team: 12
Totals: 0 0 -20 28 35
Player MIN SH SVS GJ SV%
73 N. Maier (L) – 27 22 5 –
Totals: – 27 22 5 –

Penalties

Time Team Player Mins Infraction
18:19 – 1st B. Robbins 2 Interference – minor (56.2)
3:51 – 2nd K. Wilson 2 Kneeing – minor (50.2)
4:05 – 2nd J. Cipollone 2 Interference – minor (56.2)
12:08 – 2nd T. Fawcett 2 High-sticking – minor (60.2)
19:05 – 2nd Z. Garat 2 High-sticking – minor (60.2)
6:57 – 3rd Served by D. Kuefler 2 Bench minor – Too many men (74.2)
14:40 – 3rd K. Howdeshell 2 Holding – minor (54.2)
14:40 – 3rd R. Piercey 5 Fighting – Major (46.14)
14:40 – 3rd M. Brown 2 Interference on the Goalkeeper – minor (69.2)
14:40 – 3rd W. Zmolek 5 Fighting – Major (46.14)
16:08 – 3rd A. Callin 2 Boarding – minor (41.2)

Saturday’s Box Score

Scoring 1 2 3 T
1 0 1 2
0 0 1 1
Shots 1 2 3 T
3 7 6 16
11 15 7 33
Score Team Time Scored by Assisted by Type
1 – 0 11:53 – 1st J. Cipollone (3) Q. Ryan, A. Calder PP
1 – 1 4:31 – 3rd M. Brown (11) S. Sellar
2 – 1 10:23 – 3rd A. Calder (14) C. Welsh, A. Repaci PP

Rosters

# Player G A +/- SH PIM
G 35 K. Fulcher 0 0 0 0 0
G 40 J. Muse 0 0 0 0 0
D 3 R. Verrier 0 0 0 1 2
F 5 Z. White 0 0 -1 1 0
F 9 Q. Ryan 0 1 0 0 0
F 11 A. Bakanov 0 0 0 0 0
F 12 J. Cipollone 1 0 0 2 0
F 15 B. Robbins 0 0 0 1 2
F 16 A. Calder 1 1 -1 1 0
F 19 B. Jenkins 0 0 0 0 0
F 22 D. Kuefler 0 0 -1 4 5
F 23 T. Goehring 0 0 0 1 0
D 26 C. Welsh 0 1 0 0 0
D 27 J. Copeland 0 0 0 0 0
F 29 R. Piercey 0 0 0 0 15
F 44 A. Callin 0 0 0 1 0
D 70 Z. Garat 0 0 -1 0 0
F 81 A. Repaci 0 1 0 4 0
D 88 A. Kulakov 0 0 -1 0 0
Team:
Totals: 2 4 -5 16 24
Player MIN SH SVS GA SV%
40 J. Muse (W) – 33 32 1 –
Totals: – 33 32 1 –
# Player G A +/- SH PIM
G 32 P. Gahagen 0 0 0 0 0
G 73 N. Maier 0 0 0 0 0
F 6 N. Ouellet 0 0 0 3 0
D 7 T. Thurston 0 0 0 2 0
D 12 M. Millman 0 0 0 3 0
F 16 S. Sellar 0 1 +1 3 0
F 17 T. Fawcett 0 0 0 0 2
F 18 J. Nardi 0 0 0 0 0
F 19 B. Guy 0 0 0 0 0
F 20 A. Master 0 0 0 1 0
F 21 T. Bertuzzi 0 0 0 2 0
F 27 R. Chyzowski 0 0 0 4 17
D 28 A. Brubacher 0 0 +1 3 0
D 29 K. Wilson 0 0 0 1 0
F 37 M. Brown 1 0 +1 5 0
F 49 J. Bricknell 0 0 0 1 7
D 57 K. Johnson 0 0 +1 2 0
F 77 D. Paliani 0 0 +1 3 2
D 81 M. Chen 0 0 0 0 0
Team:
Totals: 1 1 5 33 28
Player MIN SH SVS GJ SV%
73 N. Maier (L) – 16 14 2 –
Totals: – 16 14 2 –

Penalties

Time Team Player Mins Infraction
10:39 – 1st R. Chyzowski 2 Hooking – minor (55.2)
14:58 – 1st D. Kuefler 5 Fighting – Major (46.14)
14:58 – 1st J. Bricknell 5 Fighting – Major (46.14)
11:30 – 2nd R. Verrier 2 Slashing – minor (61.2)
11:30 – 2nd J. Bricknell 2 Elbowing – minor (45.2)
3:21 – 3rd R. Piercey 5 Fighting – Major (46.14)
3:21 – 3rd R. Piercey 10 Game Misconduct – Fighting Prior to the Drop of the Puck (46.10)
3:21 – 3rd R. Chyzowski 5 Fighting – Major (46.14)
3:21 – 3rd R. Chyzowski 10 Game Misconduct – Fighting Prior to the Drop of the Puck (46.10)
8:47 – 3rd T. Fawcett 2 Slashing – minor (61.2)
9:31 – 3rd D. Paliani 2 Tripping – minor (57.2)

Sunday’s Box Score

Scoring 1 2 3 T
1 0 1 2
0 0 1 1
Shots 1 2 3 T
3 7 6 16
11 15 7 33
Score Team Time Scored by Assisted by Type
1 – 0 11:53 – 1st J. Cipollone (3) Q. Ryan, A. Calder PP
1 – 1 4:31 – 3rd M. Brown (11) S. Sellar
2 – 1 10:23 – 3rd A. Calder (14) C. Welsh, A. Repaci PP

Rosters

# Player G A +/- SH PIM
G 35 K. Fulcher 0 0 0 0 0
G 40 J. Muse 0 0 0 0 0
D 3 R. Verrier 0 0 0 1 2
F 5 Z. White 0 0 -1 1 0
F 9 Q. Ryan 0 1 0 0 0
F 11 A. Bakanov 0 0 0 0 0
F 12 J. Cipollone 1 0 0 2 0
F 15 B. Robbins 0 0 0 1 2
F 16 A. Calder 1 1 -1 1 0
F 19 B. Jenkins 0 0 0 0 0
F 22 D. Kuefler 0 0 -1 4 5
F 23 T. Goehring 0 0 0 1 0
D 26 C. Welsh 0 1 0 0 0
D 27 J. Copeland 0 0 0 0 0
F 29 R. Piercey 0 0 0 0 15
F 44 A. Callin 0 0 0 1 0
D 70 Z. Garat 0 0 -1 0 0
F 81 A. Repaci 0 1 0 4 0
D 88 A. Kulakov 0 0 -1 0 0
Team:
Totals: 2 4 -5 16 24
Player MIN SH SVS GA SV%
40 J. Muse (W) – 33 32 1 –
Totals: – 33 32 1 –
# Player G A +/- SH PIM
G 32 P. Gahagen 0 0 0 0 0
G 73 N. Maier 0 0 0 0 0
F 6 N. Ouellet 0 0 0 3 0
D 7 T. Thurston 0 0 0 2 0
D 12 M. Millman 0 0 0 3 0
F 16 S. Sellar 0 1 +1 3 0
F 17 T. Fawcett 0 0 0 0 2
F 18 J. Nardi 0 0 0 0 0
F 19 B. Guy 0 0 0 0 0
F 20 A. Master 0 0 0 1 0
F 21 T. Bertuzzi 0 0 0 2 0
F 27 R. Chyzowski 0 0 0 4 17
D 28 A. Brubacher 0 0 +1 3 0
D 29 K. Wilson 0 0 0 1 0
F 37 M. Brown 1 0 +1 5 0
F 49 J. Bricknell 0 0 0 1 7
D 57 K. Johnson 0 0 +1 2 0
F 77 D. Paliani 0 0 +1 3 2
D 81 M. Chen 0 0 0 0 0
Team:
Totals: 1 1 5 33 28
Player MIN SH SVS GJ SV%
73 N. Maier (L) – 16 14 2 –
Totals: – 16 14 2 –

Penalties

Time Team Player Mins Infraction
10:39 – 1st R. Chyzowski 2 Hooking – minor (55.2)
14:58 – 1st D. Kuefler 5 Fighting – Major (46.14)
14:58 – 1st J. Bricknell 5 Fighting – Major (46.14)
11:30 – 2nd R. Verrier 2 Slashing – minor (61.2)
11:30 – 2nd J. Bricknell 2 Elbowing – minor (45.2)
3:21 – 3rd R. Piercey 5 Fighting – Major (46.14)
3:21 – 3rd R. Piercey 10 Game Misconduct – Fighting Prior to the Drop of the Puck (46.10)
3:21 – 3rd R. Chyzowski 5 Fighting – Major (46.14)
3:21 – 3rd R. Chyzowski 10 Game Misconduct – Fighting Prior to the Drop of the Puck (46.10)
8:47 – 3rd T. Fawcett 2 Slashing – minor (61.2)
9:31 – 3rd D. Paliani 2 Tripping – minor (57.2)


Notes

    • Worcester scratches on Friday: Christian Krygier, Jack Quinlivan, Mike Higgins, Todd Goehring, and Tristan Lennox.
    • Readings scratches on Friday: Darren Brady, Mike Chen, Nicolas Ouellet, Trevor Thurston, Tyler Heidt, and Yvan Mongo.
    • Worcester scratches on Saturday: Ashton Calder, Christian Krygier, Jack Quinlivan, Todd Goehring, and Tristan Lennox.
    • Reading scratches on Saturday: Adam Karashik, Austin Master, Darren Brady, Tyler Heidt, Will Zmolek, and Yvan Mongo.
    • Worcester scratches on Sunday: Christian Krygier, Jack Quinlivan, Keeghan Howdeshell, Mike Higgins, and Tristan Lennox.
    • Reading scratches on Sunday: Adam Karashik, Brendan Hoffmann, Darren Brady, Tyler Heidt, Will Zmolek, and Yvan Mongo.
    • John Muse was named goaltender of the week for his performance on Friday and Sunday, going 2-0-0 with one shutout, a 0.50 goals-against average and a save percentage of .984.
    • Michael Higgins was released on Tuesday, perhaps making room for more players as Ken Appleby returned to Bridgeport over the weekend. As of this post, Henrik Tikkanen is also still with Bridgeport.
  • Following Sunday’s game, the Railers had the following streaks:
    • Zach White snapped a three-game scoring streak. (1-3-4)
    • Joey Cipollone is on a three-game scoring streak. (1-2-3)
    • Brendan Robbins is without a point in his last six games.
    • Keeghan Howdeshell is without a point in his last three games.
    • Blade Jenkins snapped a four-game point streak. (1-6-7)
    • Anthony Callin snapped a five-game point streak. (0-5-5)
    • Artyom Kulakov is without a point in his last three games.


Highlights