ECHL: Hockey Returns to Reading

The Reading Royals have returned to play in Reading, Pennsylvania, with a preseason game at home against division opponent, the Adirondack Thunder. Fans got to come out and see what Coach Henry has put together for the 2023-24 season.

Royals fans got to return to the Santander Arena this week for their first taste of the upcoming season. This season holds many familiar faces from last season, with new additions to strengthen the team’s core. Fans didn’t get to see faces such as Devon Paliani, Brendan Hoffmann, or Mike Chen, but who they did see made quite the impact. Even during warmups, fans could see Shane Sellar taking control and being a strong voice for the newcomers. Sellar has played for the Royals for three straight seasons now, and with each season, his role on and off the ice has made a strong impact to the team. His kind and loving spirit for the sport of hockey brings a sense of positivity to the ice, and fans have chalked him up as one of the newest favorites to come through Reading.

When the time came for hockey to continue here in Reading, it was time to see who would be the first starting lineup for the season. The starting lineup consisted of Alec Butcher, Shane Sellar, Ryan Chyzowski, Mason Millman, and Koletrane Wilson. In goal for the Royals was Nolan Maier, a quite familiar and well-loved goaltender by Royals fans when he wasn’t spending his time in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

The first goal of the game came from Thunder forward Travis Broughman after Maier was unable to protect the goal after his skate broke against the boards. Maier sat out the rest of the period while his skate was attended to, giving Eric Top some ice time. Once the second period started, Maier was back in goal.

The action died down during the second period as the ferocity seemed to settle with no scoring from either team. There were, however, two penalties for the Royals that allowed fans to see how the penalty kill would unfold, as well as an opportunity to see the power play after a tripping minor for the Thunder. With it still only being the preseason, it was to be expected nothing was solid, but the Royals held it together through their penalty kills and looked rather strong on the penalty kill.

At 4:44 in the third period, Broughman scored his second of the night, pulling the Royals back by two until Tyson Fawcett scored the first Royals goal at home. Fans were as loud as ever to hear the goal horn after months of waiting, and they were even more excited to do it twice when Alec Butcher scored the second of the period at 9:18 on the power play. All seemed promising for the Royals, coming back quickly from a two goal deficit until Broughman scored his hat trick goal at 10:48. The game wasn’t over yet as Yvan Mongo tied up the game once again at 16:18 bringing the Royals to a sudden death overtime.

The overtime period was unsuccessful for either team, taking the game onto the first shootout of the season. The extra hockey had fans on the edge of their seats as they watched the Royals shoot first, with Ryan Chyzowski taking the first shot but unfortunately missing. Next shooter was Andy Willis for the Thunder, who did get his shot past Maier. Next shooter for the Royals was Mason Millman, who was successful in his shot against goaltender Matt Petizian. Things got a little more worrisome for Royals’ fans when Alex Dicarlo was next up to shoot and scored a second goal for the Thunder. The pressure came down to Alec Butcher, but unfortunately, his shot was unsuccessful, and the Royals fell 4-3 in the shootout.

With the preseason coming to a close, the real action starts for the Royals next weekend, where the Royals will take on the Newfoundland Growlers to start the season. The Royals will then return home for their home opener on Oct. 28th against Trois-Rivières.