WORCESTER, MA – The Worcester Railers HC (4-2-1-0, 9 points) handed the Reading Royals (4-1-0-0, 8 points) their first loss of the season after a 4-2 victory in game two of a five game homestand in front 3,411 fans at the DCU Center on Friday evening. The Railers host the Royals again on Saturday at 7:05 pm on Slap Shot Night.
Patrick McNally (1 goal,1 assist, 2 points) continued his torrid scoring touch with a pair of points while Woody Hudson, Frankie DiChiara, and Matty Gaudreau also scored for Worcester. Eamon McAdam made 33 saves in net for his second win of the season in the Railers home ice victory.
Hudson (second of season) gave the Railers a 1-0 lead with his second goal in as many games after Yanick Turcotte threw a shoulder in the corner and won the puck in front to Hudson who then buried a quick shot through the pads of goaltender Mark Dekanich at 17:01. Reading would tie the score on the power play with 31 seconds left as Ryan Penny (fourth of season) pin-balled a shot off skates and past McAdam to tie the score at 1-1. Shots were 15-8 in favor of Reading through 20 minutes.
The Railers had a terrific second period as McNally (5th of season) fired home a rebound after an initial shot from Matt Lane at 5:08 and DiChiara (second of season) finished an awesome pass from Jeff Kubiak on an odd man rush at 7:05. Worcester led 3-1 after 40 minutes of play despite Reading leading 20-19 in shots.
Gaudreau (first goal of season) scored his first professional goal with a great rush down the left wing side and a quick shot on the rush at 4:08 to give the Railers some insurance. Reading would strike again on the power play at 7:52 at Mark Naclerio (second of season) to cut the lead to 4-2. The Royals would pressure late and McAdam went for an empty net goal as time expired and just missed as Worcester held on for the 4-2 home victory.
Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Eamon McAdam (33 saves, Win) 2nd star: Patrick McNally (1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, +4) 1st star: Matty Gaudreau (1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, first professional goal) … Final shots were 35-28 in favor of Reading… Mark Dekanich (2-1-0) made 24 saves on 28 shots for Reading….Eamon McAdam (2-0-1) made 33 saves on 35 shots for Worcester…. Mitch Gillam served as the backup goalie for the Railers….Worcester went 0-for-2 on the power play while Reading went 2-for-4….TJ Syner, Barry Almeida, Ryan Lannon, Chris Saracino, Josh Monk (injury), Jeff Kubiak (illness) and Connor Doherty (injury) did not dress for Worcester… Before the game, defenseman Chris Saracino was signed by the Railers. Chris is the older brother of Nick Saracino…Nick Saracino made his Railers debut after missing the first six games due to injury… Yanick Turcotte picked up his second assist of the season… Patrick McNally finished +4 and now leads the ECHL with a +11 rating… Woody Hudson finished +3 and has goals in back to back games.
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