The Reading Royals (33-13-6-2) were defeated 3-2 by the Adirondack Thunder (24-30-2) in the first of three games at the Santander Arena.
The Royals took a 1-0 lead at 8:19 by Grant Cooper (5) with assists from Thomas Ebbing and Garrett McFadden. The Royals extended their lead 2-0 a minute and thirty-six seconds into the second period by Patrick Bajkov (20), with Brad Morrison assisting the goal. Then at 15:34, the Thunder cut the Royals lead 2-1 by Jordan Kaplan.
In the third period, the Thunder tied the game 2-2 by Paul Meyer at 4:53. Thunder forward Ryan Smith scored the game-winning goal with less than two minutes left.
The Royals finished the game with 14 shots, 0/3 on the power-play, and Pat Nagle made 11 of 14 saves.
The Royals and Thunder play game two tomorrow at 7 pm. Tickets can be purchased courtesy of our friends at StubHub.
