February 19

Friday night hockey in downtown Reading, the Royals hosting Manchester in the back end of the two-game set at the Arena. The boys were looking to atone for the OT loss on Wednesday but on this night the effort fell short. The Monarchs took the lead midway through the first period, Ian Watters' goal in the final minute tied the score at 1-1. Manchester scored the next three and carried that advantage into the third period, early in the period veteran Nikita Kashirsky lit the lamp to bring the Royals within two. Kash was a member of the 2013 championship club, he recently returned to Reading after stints in Europe and elsewhere in North America. That goal would prove to be the Royals' final gasp, another Mons marker late in the game brought the final score to 5-2. Connor Knapp (back from absence due to injury) made his first start at home since December 18 and took the loss. The club's mark falls to 24-20-8, we hit the three-quarter pole of the home schedule at 12-11-4. Immediately after the game the teams boarded their buses for the drive to New Hampshire and a Saturday night rematch, that game begins a four-game road swing for the Royals. Between February 20 and March 22 (a span of thirty-two days) the club plays nine of twelve on the road. The three home games are strung together as a three-in three weekend from March 4-6 against Wheeling (Friday/Saturday) and Norfolk (Sunday). Take care, thanks for reading.