Preview: Oct. 28 and 30 at Reading Royals; Oct. 31 vs. Adirondack Thunder

The Trenton Ironhawks are set for their first three-game week in team history, beginning with the start of a new rivalry in Reading before returning home for a rematch with Adirondack.

Trenton will visit the Reading Royals on Wednesday and Friday before hosting the Thunder Saturday night at CURE Insurance Arena. The Ironhawks enter the week with momentum after earning the first win in team history, a 4-1 victory over Adirondack in front of a sold-out crowd of 7,032.

Details

WHERE: Santander Arena, Reading, Pennsylvania | CURE Insurance Arena, Trenton, New Jersey
WHEN: Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. ET | Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. ET | Oct. 31 at 6 p.m. ET
WATCH: FloHockey.TV
FOLLOW: @TrentonIronhawks 
TICKETS: CLICK HERE

The Rivalry Begins

For the first time in team history, the Ironhawks will take on the Reading Royals in a regular-season game.

Wednesday marks the first of 12 meetings between the two teams this season, with seven matchups scheduled over a 32-day span. The frequent meetings should give both sides plenty of opportunity to establish what could become a meaningful North Division rivalry.

Trenton also faced Reading twice during the preseason, winning 5-1 in the opener before taking the Royals to overtime the following night. The Ironhawks earned three of a possible four points in those games.

A Tough Test in Reading

The Royals have gotten off to a strong start, entering the week 3-1-0 while allowing just seven goals through four games.

Reading is also allowing only 21 shots per game, the second-best mark in the ECHL. That will provide an important test for an Ironhawks team looking to generate more consistent offensive-zone pressure.

Trenton is averaging 24 shots per game, 26th in the league. The Ironhawks have been effective when they get chances, but creating more of them will be an important next step.

Keep the Fast Starts Coming

The Ironhawks have scored first in each of their first three games, consistently showing strong first periods.

Trenton has not looked uncomfortable early in games, creating quality chances and establishing offensive pressure. Maintaining those fast starts will be especially important against a Reading team that has been difficult to score against.

Building on Saturday

Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Adirondack showed significant progress in the defensive zone.

The Ironhawks stayed connected, limited misassignments and remained composed when the Thunder generated pressure. The next challenge is carrying that defensive structure into two games against Reading before returning home Saturday.

The Power Play

Trenton is still searching for its first power-play goal of the season, entering the week 0-for-14 on the man advantage.

The Ironhawks have also surrendered two shorthanded goals, making special teams an area to watch throughout the three-game stretch. With three games in five days, getting the power play going could provide a major boost.

Hockey Halloween Night

The Ironhawks will return to CURE Insurance Arena Saturday night for a Halloween celebration as they host Adirondack for the second time this season.

Hockey Halloween Night will feature $13 tickets, safe trick-or-treating, costume contests and family-friendly festivities throughout the night. The first 2,500 fans through the doors will receive a free Ironhawks T-shirt courtesy of Princeton Brain & Spine, while the first 750 kids will receive trick-or-treat bags.

Fans of all ages are encouraged to come dressed in costume, with contests for both kids and adults featuring prizes. Mezzanine Hawk’s Nest tickets are also available for just $13.

A Rematch With Adirondack

Saturday will mark the first rematch between the Ironhawks and Thunder since Trenton earned the first win in franchise history with a 4-1 victory in front of 7,032 fans during the inaugural home opener.

The Thunder will be looking for a response, while the Ironhawks will look to carry the momentum from their historic victory into another North Division matchup.

After two games in Reading, Trenton will return home for a night that combines another important hockey game with a full night of Halloween festivities.

The Trenton Ironhawks are proud members of the ECHL and are preparing for their inaugural season, beginning this October. The Ironhawks serve as the ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Hamilton Hammers of the American Hockey League (AHL). The ECHL has helped develop hundreds of players, coaches and officials who have advanced to the NHL. All Ironhawks games can be streamed on FloHockey. For more information, visit trentonironhawks.com.