The Worcester Railers have already begun looking forward to next season’s campaign, and one of the first things the team needs to address is their inability to compete during the second period as the Railers once again allowed a crooked number of goals in the middle frame during a 5-2 loss to the Reading Royals.
The four goal allowed in the second period put Worcester at an almost unbelievable minus-43 goal differential for the period. The only team worse than the Railers in the period is the Norfolk Admirals, next Sunday’s opponent, who are minus-55 in the frame. For the season Worcester has a minus-71 goal differential, second only to Norfolk’s minus-100.
The highlights of the game, such as they are, can be found right here on the ECHL’s site.
The Railers hit the road Sunday for a game in Maine against the Mariners at 3pm, followed by a Tuesday night contest in Glens falls against the Adirondack Thunder. They return to the DCU Center Friday night to take on the Mariners, with a 7pm puck drop.
GAME NOTES
Scratches for the Railers were Connor Doherty, JD Dudek (14-day IR/upper), Jack Mcnee, Tanner Pond (14-day IR/upper) Kyle Thomas (14-day/lower), and Yanick Turcotte (14-day IR/upper). Ian Milosz was the backup goaltender.
As often happens near the trade deadline there was a slew of transactions involving the Railers. On Monday Worcester released Griff Jeszka from his Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO). Jeszka will now return to Merrimack College to finish his degree in Communications & Media. On Tuesday the Railers activated Arnaud Durandeau from the 14-day IR list and he was re-assigned to the Sound Tigers by the Islanders, and then on Wednesday the Islanders did the same for goaltender Jakub Skarek.
Also on Tuesday Railers General Manager and Head Coach David Cunniff signed forwards Billy Vizzo and Nick DeVito to contracts. From the team’s press release, Billy Vizzo joins the Worcester Railers after finishing his senior season at Curry College where he played 26 games registering 31 points (15-16-31). The 15 goals were tied for the team lead while the 31 points ranked him third on the squad. Nick DeVito joins the Worcester Railers after playing four years at Morrisville State College from 2016-2020 where he played 100 games accumulating 93 points (36-57-93). This past year during his senior season he led the club in scoring with 22 points (6-16-22) in 25 games. Devito was named to the NCAA III SUNYAC Second Team-All Conference during his junior season where he played 25 games leading the Mustangs with 24 points (12-12-24).
At some point prior to Tuesday the Sound Tigers re-assigned Dylan Sadowy from the Railers back to the Kalamazoo Wings. Sadowy sets the unofficial Railers record for the longest time listed on the roster without appearing in a game (34 days). It was set by Chris Rygus earlier this season (25 days). And finally, on trade deadline day Thursday Worcester sent Cody Payne to the Indy Fuel in exchange for the popular “future considerations”, and traded Bo Brauer to the Rapid City Rush for cash considerations.
It was “WooSox Night” Saturday, with the Boston Red Sox 2013 World Series Trophy in the building. Lenny DiNardo, who pitched in 23 games for the 2004 Red Sox, signed autographs and met with fans prior to the game. He also dropped the ceremonial first puck. Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd was also scheduled to appear, but was unable to attend.
The three stars of the game were
1. REA – 18 Thomas Ebbing
2. WOR – 37 Lincoln Griffin
3. REA – 5 Eric Knodel
The 210Sports Player of the Game was Ross Olsson.
Even Strength Lines
Almeida / Callin / Feasey
Matsushima / Olsson / Walsh
Griffin / Vizzo / Poulsen
DeVito
Murray / Cornell
Stander / McGurty
Chukarov / MacKinnon
BOXSCORE
Reading 0 4 1 – 5
Worcester 1 0 1 – 2
1st Period-1, Worcester, Walsh 13 10:04. Penalties-Matsushima Wor (tripping), 2:40.
2nd Period-2, Reading, Ebbing 10 (Drake), 2:48. 3, Reading, DiChiara 22 (Knodel, Mackin), 4:03 (PP). 4, Reading, Low 18 7:53 (PP). 5, Reading, Gooch 12 (Ebbing, Zerter-Gossage), 16:39. Penalties-Matsushima Wor (holding), 3:27; Poulsen Wor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 6:00; Murray Wor (tripping), 13:45; Hodgson Rea (fighting – major), 19:03; Olsson Wor (fighting – major), 19:03; Knodel Rea (interference), 19:44.
3rd Period-6, Worcester, Griffin 3 (Chukarov, DeVito), 9:55. 7, Reading, Cecere 3 (Swavely), 17:32 (EN). Penalties-served by DiChiara Rea (bench – too many men), 6:56; Zerter-Gossage Rea (slashing), 11:59.
Shots on Goal-Reading 5-12-11-28. Worcester 6-5-13-24.
Power Play Opportunities-Reading 2 / 4; Worcester 0 / 3.
Goalies-Reading, Sandström 12-11-0-1 (24 shots-22 saves). Worcester, Buitenhuis 12-19-1-0 (27 shots-23 saves).
A-7,081
Referees-Matt Menniti (10).
Linesmen-Shane Kanaly (74), Andrew Bell (73).
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