WORCESTER, MA – The Worcester Railers HC (5-2-1-0, 11 points) wearing Slap Shot themed jerseys handed the Reading Royals (4-2-0-0, 8 points) their second loss of the season after a 2-1 victory in game three of a five game homestand in front 4,132 fans at the DCU Center on Saturday evening. The Railers host the Royals again on Sunday afternoon at 3:05 p.m. on a Kids Giveaway Sunday to close out the 3-in-3 weekend.
Woody Hudson scored in his third straight game and Barry Almeida scored his second of the season to supply the offense for the Railers while Mitch Gillam stood tall in net with 26 saves as Worcester won their second straight game versus the Royals on home ice.
Almeida (2nd goal of season) deflected home a Patrick McNally point shot at 4:06 of the opening period to give Worcester an early 1-0 lead. After the Royals went 0-for-2 on the power play, Chris Langkow dropped the much bigger Loic Leduc with two big right hands in a great scrap at 18:56. Gillam made nine first period saves as Worcester headed into the first intermission ahead 1-0.
Neither team found the back of the net in the middle frame with Reading holding a 18-17 edge in shots through 40 minutes as Gillam stood tall.
Hudson (3rd goal) scored his third goal in as many games after he raced down the left wing side on a 2-on-1 break and ripped a shot from 30 feet top shelf to put Worcester ahead 2-0. Ryan Penny (5th goal) got the Royals within a goal at 15:57 with a quick shot through a screen to ruin the shutout bid for Gillam. Worcester held off a late charge to take home a 2-1 home victory.
Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Barry Almeida (Goal) 2nd star: Mitch Gillam (26 saves, Win) 1st star: Woody Hudson (Game-winning goal). Final shots were 29-27 in favor of Worcester… Jon Muse (2-1-0) made 27 saves on 29 shots for Reading. Mitch Gillam (3-2-0) made 26 saves on 27 shots for Worcester… Eamon McAdam served as the backup goalie for the Railers… Worcester went 0-for-3 on the power play while Reading went 0-for-4….Wade Murphy, Yanick Turcotte, Jeff Kubiak, Ryan Lannon, Josh Monk (inj), and Connor Doherty (inj) did not dress for Worcester… Defenseman Chris Saracino played in his first career ECHL game for Worcester and wore #37 – he was in the lineup with his brother Nick… Woody Hudson has a three-game point streak (3-0-3)….Dr. Hook from Slap Shot was in attendance and signed autographs and dropped the puck before the game… Patrick McNally had two assists and now leads the club with 11 points (5-6-11)… Matt Lane now has a two-game point streak (0-2-2).
Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.