January 8

According to the morning newspaper Tuesday's overnight low of -3 set a new record for January 7, the old mark had stood since 1942. On Wednesday it warmed up all the way to 24 in the afternoon as we made our way north on 222 to Reading. The Royals lost two of three on their recent road swing, on this night the Wheeling Nailers made their third appearance of the season at the Santander Arena. The Royals took a 1-0 first-period lead on a score by Michael Cajkovsky, a few minutes later Sean Wiles lit the lamp to make it 2-0. In the second period Wiles struck again to put the club up by three, Ryan Cruthers hit the net to make 4-0. The Nailers replied in kind to cut the advantage to 4-2 but that was as far as the comeback would go. In the final period Cruthers netted his second of the night, in the closing moments the Nailers pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. Wiles appeared to complete his hattrick when he scored into the empty net but the play was whistled dead for an off sides, on the next faceoff he hit the net again and that one counted as the Royals wrapped up the 6-2 win. Goalie Brandon Anderson recently rejoined the club from an AHL stint, he picked up the victory with a solid effort. The win improves the club's mark to 16-12-1 (7-8-0 at the Arena), the boys will be in Elmira on Friday and Saturday before hosting the Jackals on Sunday (should be an interesting weekend). Saw online where McCaskey lost at Cedar Crest on Wednesday night, that is the club's first loss in league play. The team's five losses overall have been by a total of 27 points. JPM is at home on Thursday and Friday. Take care, thanks for reading.