On Saturday night, the Reading Royals (42-16-7-2) defeated their divisional rivals Maine Mariners (30-31-4-3), by the final score of 5-3 in game two of a three-game weekend at the Santander Arena.
In the first period, Royals forward Thomas Ebbing (30) scored at 11:54, putting Reading up 1-0 with assists from Kenny Hausinger and Brennan Saulnier. Then, at 14:52, Brad Morrison (16) extended the Royals lead to 2-0 with assists from Garret Cockerill and Patrick Bajkov.
Two minutes and six seconds into the second period, Thomas Ebbing (31) scored his second goal of the night with assists from Brennan Saulnier and Patrick McNally for a 3-0 lead. Twenty seconds later, Mariners forward Zach Malatesta (9) ended the shutout, cutting the Royals lead 3-1 with assists from Nick Master and Mathew Santos.
The Royals got the goal back at the seven-minute mark by Patrick Bajkov (25) with assists from Dominic Cormier and Garret Cockerill for a 4-1 lead. A minute later, Mariners forward Keltie Jeri-Leon (18) scored, cutting the Royals lead in half 4-2. Pascal Laberge and Gabriel Chicoine assisted Leon’s goal.
With less than two minutes left, the Mariners made it a one-goal game 4-3 by Connor Doherty (2) with assists from Tyler Hinam and Reid Stefanson.
With less than two minutes left in the third period, Royals defenseman Patrick McNally (7) put the game away with an empty-net goal, and the Royals beat the Mariners 5-3.
The Royals finished the game with 31 shots, no power-play opportunities, and goalie Logan Flodell made 32 of 35 saves.
The Royals conclude the three-game series against the Maine Mariners today at 3 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
