READING, PA – For the Reading Royals, last season seems like a distant memory. The team went through not only the worst season in team history, but one of the worst in ECHL history. After the Royals thrilling 4-3 win over arch rival Trenton Devils, the team finds itself in a position they have not found themselves in since the 2005-06 season, that’s sit in first place after 40 games into the season.

Royals goaltende Matt Dalton

The Royals have a record of 22-14-1-3 (48 points) and are eight points over second place Elmira Jackals for the division lead. The Royals also sit in fourth place in the American Conference, one point behind the Cincinnati Cyclones.

One has to wonder however just how the team is doing it this time around. Despite being eight games over .500, the Royals have allowed more goals (141) than they have scored (133). Neither special teams unit is in the top 10. They are only 5-4-0-1 in their past ten games. Still, they are winning games and in the end that is all that matters.

They do have two do however have two players in the top 20 in scoring, Ben Gordon and Ryan Cruthers. In fact, ever player on the Royals current active roster has at least one goal this season. Rookie goaltender and Boston Bruins prospect Matt Dalton is 19^th in goals against average and ninth in save percentage.

The turnaround started in the off-season when long time Royals Larry Courville was given the task of becoming the teams sixth Head Coach since the teams inception in 2001-02. The team has spent four out of eight seasons on the outside looking in come playoff time. Fan interest was dwindling and attendance dropping in a sports mad climate that is Southeastern Pennsylvania. The team needed a strong turnaround in the standing and they got it.

Slowly but surely the crowds are coming back now that word has gotten out about the team’s fortunes. Things will never be like they were back in their inaugural season when the team could sell out on a nightly basis, but things are looking up, especially since football season is coming to a close.

April is a long ways away, but team is winning its share of despite being outshot in more than half of their games. The “Hockey Gods” are smiling somewhere on the purple and black. After last season, the Royals would have settled for less. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Thankfully for the Royals, is not a train this time around. If you’d know the history of Reading and their connection with trains, look at a monopoly board sometime.

Things are just starting to heat up on the ice. One gets the feeling this is going to be one heck of a wild ride from here on out.

Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com

Contact the photographer at Lewis.Bleiman@prohockeynews.com

(www.lebphotography.com)