READING, PA – The reigning ECHL Goaltender of the Month Kirill Ustimenko blocked 18 shots in the first period and 33 for the game to stymie the Worcester Railers, 3-0, Sunday at Santander Arena. Ustimenko has two career shutouts (November 16th vs. WHL), both of which have come at home and when making at least 30 saves. Reading is now on a season-long, six-game winning streak and boasts a four-point lead over Brampton and Maine for second place in the North Division.
In the third, Reading limited Worcester to six shots and Thomas Ebbing added an empty-net goal in the final minute. Jakub Skarek made 25 saves and allowed two goals in defeat.
Brayden Low opened the scoring with his 14th goal of the season at 11:38 of the first, the third time in his Reading career he’s tallied the game’s first goal. Matthew Strome fed him net front and Low was all alone, faking to the back hand before turning forehand and slipping it through the five hole.
Steven Swavely scored his ninth of the season with a swift tuck home in front of Skarek at 1:27 of the second. While Corey Mackin danced inside and out to the left circle, Swavely cut to the crease and directed the Mackin pass high over the netminder.
18 shots not an early factor: The Railers took 18 shots in the first on Reading, tied for the most the Royals have surrendered in a frame this season, but Ustimenko was perfect. It was the most-prolific save total for a period in Ustimenko’s career.
Brayden Low’s opening goal came on Reading’s seventh shot of the period. Reading finished with eight in the frame, notching one after Low’s goal in the first’s final eight minutes.
20 at home: Sunday’s win marked the second time in the Kirk MacDonald era (2017-18) the squad has earned at least 20 home wins. Reading is second in the conference with a 20-5-2-0 mark in Berks County.
It’s the 12th time the Royals have earned at least 20 victories at Santander Arena in a regular season. The record for home wins is 26, accomplished during the 2012-13 championship campaign. The Royals have qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs 13 times, 11 of which have come when the squad has made it to at least 20 wins at home.
Last season, the Royals won 16 games at home.
Penalty kill fun: The Royals’ penalty kill has gone 26-for-30 over the last ten games. Reading is 8-1-1-0 over the last ten.
Next Up: The Royals visit Wheeling on Wednesday, February 19th at 7:05 p.m. before returning home on Friday, February 21st at 7 p.m. vs. Newfoundland and Saturday, February 22nd vs. Brampton at 7 p.m.
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