The Reading Royals (31-19-3) concluded a three-game homestand at the Santander Arena against the Trois-Rivieres Lions (21-32-2) for the sixth time this year. The Royals came into this game 5-0 against the Lions this season.
Eleven minutes and twenty-two seconds into the first period, Alec Butcher (14) put the Royals up 1-0. Devon Paliani and Colin Felix assisted with his goal. Two minutes and twenty seconds later, Ryan Francis (15) scored a power play goal for the Lions, tying the game 1-1. Brett Stapley and Shane Kuzmeski assisted with his goal.
Late in the first period, Evan Barratt (10) scored to put the Royals back up 2-1. Charlie Gerard and Yvan Mongo assisted with his goal. The Royals had 14 shots on goal and led 2-1 after one period.
Three minutes and eight seconds into the second period, Sam Hu (5) extended the Royals’ lead to 3-1 with assists from Brett Boeing and Jacob Gaucher. The Royals had 13 shots and led 3-1 after two periods.
In the third period, it was all Lions. They came roaring back scoring three power play goals in a span of two minutes and twenty-one seconds by Cedric Montminy (14), Brett Stapley (8), and Anthony Beauregard (18) to take a 4-3 lead. Later, Dillon Hill (1) scored to make it 5-3 Lions with assists from Brendan Soucie and Shane Kuzmeski.
Late in the third period, Evan Barratt (11) scored for the Royals. It was now 5-4 Lions. Brendan Hoffmann and Charlie Gerard assisted with his goal. The Royals pulled Ryan Kenny but the Lions put the game away with an empty-net goal by Nicolas Guay (7) for a 6-4 lead. The Royals’ three-game winning streak came to an end with a 6-4 loss to the Lions.
The Royals finished the afternoon with 40 shots on goal, 0-4 on the power play, and Ryan Kenny made 17 saves. On the other side, the Lions had 23 shots, 4-9 on the power play, and Joe Vrbetic made 36 saves.
The Royals will clash with the Lions again from the Colisée Vidéotron on Wednesday at 7 pm. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub.
