Game Story

Reading, PA – The Worcester Railers and Reading Royals finished their fourteen-game season-long series on Wednesday. Worcester picked up a win in the bout and wrapped up the series going 7-6-1-0.

Neither team scored in the opening frame despite each team putting up an impressive amount of shots on goal. Kyle McKenzie took the first penalty for a slash in the closing minutes of the first period. Worcester outshot Reading 15-10 after 20 minutes.

Matty Gaudreau scored his twelfth of the season at 3:44 in the second, off a rebound. Assists were credited to Barry Almeida and Dylan Willick. Coincidentally, Reading’s Steven Swavely scored his twelfth off a shot that bounced in the net. Former Worcester Shark and Holy Cross Alum Adam Schmidt along with Ryan Penny were credited with the assists on the goal. Worcester held a shooting lead 28-20 with the game tied at one heading into the third.

Frankie DiChiara fought former Worcester Shark Matt Willows in the third period in what was DiChiara’s first pro fight. Mitch Gillam was knocked down by Willows and was what initiated the fight, leading to both players getting 5 for fighting and Willows getting an extra two for goalie interference. The game was still tied at one heading into overtime. Worcester outshot Reading 33-31 after sixty minutes.

Barry Almeida put the game away with the first and only shot on goal in the period on the backhand, sneaking a shot through the pads of Branden Komm. Kyle McKenzie and TJ Syner picked up assists on the game-winning goal.

The Three Stars of the Game Were: Barry Almeida (Assist, GWG), Branden Komm (32 saves), Mitch Gillam (30 saves, win).

With a win Wednesday, the Railers are two points behind the Royals for third place in the North Division. Railers now hold a three-point lead over the Wheeling Nailers with two games left for both clubs. Railers can clinch their first-ever Kelley Cup Playoff Berth if the Nailers lose on Friday.

Railers will finish off their season with the first of two games against the Manchester Monarchs on Saturday, puck drops at 6 PM.

Box Score

Scoring 1 2 3 OT T
Worcester Railers 0 1 0 1 2
Reading Royals 0 1 0 0 1
Shots 1 2 3 OT T
Worcester Railers 15 13 5 1 0
Reading Royals 10 10 11 0 0

 

Railers Roster # Name G A +/- SH PIM
G 29 W. King 0 0 0 0 0
G 35 M. Gillam 0 0 0 0 0
D 2 T. Panico 0 0 -1 2 0
D 3 B. Masella 0 0 0 1 0
D 5 K. McKenzie 0 1 +2 1 2
D 6 M. Cornell 0 0 +1 6 0
F 8 M. Gaudreau 1 0 +1 1 0
C 10 M. Lane 0 0 0 1 0
F 11 J. Holmstrom 0 0 0 1 0
F 13 J. Randolph 0 0 0 0 0
F 14 T. Syner 0 1 0 4 0
LW 17 F. DiChiara 0 0 0 1 5
LW 18 N. Saracino 0 0 -1 5 0
F 19 B. Almeida 1 1 +1 4 0
D 22 J. Hamonic 0 0 -1 1 0
F 23 W. Hudson 0 0 0 1 0
F 42 D. Willick 0 1 +1 2 0
D 44 P. Cullity 0 0 0 3 0
Team:
Totals: 2 4 3 34 7
No Name Min SH SVS GA
35 M. Gillam (W) 61:30 31 30 1
Totals: 61:30 31 30
Royals Roster # Name G A +/- SH PIM
G 29 B. Komm 0 0 0 0 0
G 31 M. Dekanich 0 0 0 0 0
D 2 C. Golightly 0 0 0 1 0
F 3 C. McCarthy 0 0 -1 2 0
D 6 M. Cleland 0 0 0 0 0
D 8 N. Zajac 0 0 -1 1 0
F 9 R. Penny 0 1 +1 1 0
D 11 C. Vasaturo 0 0 0 0 0
F 12 S. Swavely 1 0 0 4 0
F 14 A. Schmidt 0 1 +1 1 0
F 16 M. Wilkins 0 0 -1 1 0
F 17 M. Huntebrinker 0 0 -1 2 0
D 18 N. Neville 0 0 0 1 0
F 20 B. Morgan 0 0 0 3 0
D 25 N. Luukko 0 0 0 1 0
F 28 M. Bennett 0 0 0 2 0
LW 44 V. Liljegren 0 0 0 4 0
F 90 M. Willows 0 0 -1 7 7
Team:
Totals: 1 2 -3 31 7
No Name Min SH SVS GA
29 B. Komm (L) 61:30 34 32 2
Totals: 61:30 34 32 2
P T Player M Offense Time
1st V K. McKenzie 2.00 Slashing – minor (61.2) 18:05
3rd V F. DiChiara 5.00 Fighting – Major (46.14) 9:08
3rd H M. Willows 2.00 Interference on the Goalkeeper – minor (69.2) 9:08
3rd H M. Willows 5.00 Fighting – Major (46.14) 9:08

Notes

  • Railers Scratches: Maurizio Colella (reserve), Connor Doherty (reserve), Tommy Kelley (21-day injury reserve/upper body), Chris Langkow (21-day injury reserve/lower body), Josh McArdle, Josh Monk (21-day injury reserve/upper body), and Dwyer Tschantz.
  • Royals Scratches:  Tyler Brown, Stephen Johnson, Adam Larkin, Jack Riley, Scott Tanski, and Derek Whitmore.
  • Railers are on a season-long 5 game win streak.
  • Mitch Gillam had a week of recognition in the ECHL this week. Gillam was named ECHL’s Rookie of the Month and Goalie of the Week for the Week of March 26-April 1 on Tuesday. Gillam was also named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team on Wednesday and was named a runner-up to ECHL’s Goaltender of the Month.
  • As of this morning, the Worcester Railers’ Hulk Jerseys that were worn on October 28, 2017 are now up for bid on Meigray Auctions. You can bid on these jerseys here.

Railers Lines (Observed by order in which they appeared):

LW C RW
Forward Line 1  N. Saracino #18  T. Syner #14  B. Almeida #19 “A”
Forward Line 2  M. Gaudreau #8  D. Willick #42  J. Randolph #13
Forward Line 3  F. DiChiara #17  M. Lane #10  J. Holmstrom #11 / W. Hudson #23
LD RD
Defense Line 1  K. McKenzie #5  M. Cornell #6 “C”
Defense Line 2  B. Masella #3  P. Cullity #44
Defense Line 3  T. Panico #2  J. Hamonic #22 “A”
G
Starting Goaltender  Mitch Gillam #35
Backup Goaltender  Will King #29