November 22-23

Saturday night hockey in downtown Reading as the Royals returned home from a four-game road swing. The day actually began with a 1:30 afternoon game featuring the club teams from the United States Naval and Military Academies. It was part of a day-long salute to veterans, Army defeated Navy 8-2. The Royals went 3-0-1 on their road trip, on this night a new ECHL franchise made its first appearance at the Arena. Indianapolis, Indiana has a long history in pro hockey (all-time great Wayne Gretzky began his professional career there in 1978) but the city has been without a franchise since 2004. The new club is officially known as the "Indy" Fuel, they were visiting for a weekend doubleheader. In the Saturday opener the Fuel broke a scoreless game open with a three-goal second period. The Royals got on the board early in the third on a score by Maxim Lamarche, moments later Pat Mullane cut the deficit to two. With six minutes left Adam Comrie lit the lamp to make it 3-3, three minutes later Olivier Labelle gave the Royals the lead. From there Connor Knapp and company held the fort as the Royals took it 4-3. In the rematch on Sunday the Royals struck quickly, goals by Cam Reid and Andrew Johnston (Flyers property recently added from the AHL Phantoms) made it 2-0 in the game's first three minutes. Indy got one back before the first period ended but the one-goal advantage held up for the duration as Martin Ouellette backstopped the Royals' 2-1 victory. The back-to-back wins improve the club's mark to 8-5-1 (4-3 at home), the boys stay home for a date with Elmira on Wednesday the 26th. Take care, thanks for reading.