The Reading Royals (28-17-3) concluded a two-game homestand on Monday afternoon. They took on the Newfoundland Growlers (35-13-1) in a rematch from Saturday. This was the fifth meeting of the season between these teams.
Two minutes and thirty-three seconds into the first period, Isaac Johnson (14) scored for the Growlers to take a 1-0 lead. Zach O’Brien and Nolan Walker assisted with his goal. Eleven minutes and twenty seconds later, Keenan Suthers (11) made it 2-0 Growlers with a shorthanded goal. Isaac Johnson and Simon Kubicek assisted with his goal.
A minute and forty-nine seconds later, Alec Butcher (11) scored for the Royals. It was now 2-1. Garrett McFadden and Mike Chen assisted with his goal. With under two minutes left, Todd Skirving (24) got the goal back and it was now 3-1 Growlers. Nathan Noel and Keenan Suthers assisted with his goal. The Growlers led the Royals 3-1 after one period. The Royals had 11 shots on goal in the first period.
Forty-eight seconds into the second period, Charlie Gerard (23) scored to make it a one-goal game 3-2. Jacob Gaucher assisted with his goal. Thirteen minutes and twenty-eight seconds later, Todd Skirving (25) scored his second goal on the power play to make it 4-2 Growlers. Zach O’Brien and Isaac Johnson assisted with his goal. The Royals trailed the Growlers 4-2 after two periods and had 11 shots on goal.
In the third period, the Royals had 13 shots on goal but could not find a way to get back into the game. The Royals lost to the Growlers by the final score of 4-2. They are now 1-4 against Newfoundland this year.
Reading finished the afternoon with 35 shots, 0/4 on the power play, and Nolan Maier made 19 saves. On the other side, the Growlers had 23 shots, 1/4 on the power play, and Luke Cavallin made 33 saves.
The Royals are back on the road on Friday. They take on the Adirondack Thunder in a two-game series at Cool Insuring Arena. Friday’s game starts at 7 pm and Saturday’s game starts at 7 pm. Tickets for both of these games can be purchased on StubHub.
