On Friday night at Mary Brown’s Centre, the Reading Royals opened the 2022-23 season in an Eastern Conference semi-final rematch against the Newfoundland Growlers. Unfortunately, the Royals lost 4-2.
The majority of goals came in the first period. First, Newfoundland forward Orrin Centazzo (1) put the Growlers up 1-0 just 21-seconds into the game. Then, the Royals tied the game at 8:09 by Alec Butcher (1) with an assist from Brendan Hoffmann.
However, Newfoundland got the lead back three minutes later by forward Brett Budgell (1) with assists from Simon Kubicek and Isaac Johnson. A minute later, Newfoundland forward Tyler Boland (1) made it a two-goal game, 3-1, with an assist by Zach O’Brien.
With six seconds left in the first period, Reading made it a one-goal game, 3-2 on a power-play goal by Zane Franklin (1) with assists from Alec Butcher and Garrett McFadden. In the third period, Newfoundland put the game away with six seconds left by forward Zach Solow (1) with assists from James Melindy and Derian Plouffe to give the Growlers a 4-2 win over the Royals.
The Royals had 27 shots, 1/2 on the power play, and goalie Pat Nagle made 24-28 saves. Meanwhile, Newfoundland had 28 shots, 0/3 on the power play, and goalie Dryden McKay made 25 of 27 saves.
The Royals and Growlers play game two tomorrow night at 5:30 pm on FloSports. Tickets for the game can be purchased on StubHub.
