The Reading Royals (32-20-3) visited the Mary Brown’s Centre on Friday night for a three-game series against the first-place Newfoundland Growlers (38-17-1) for the sixth time this year. The Growlers led the season series 4-1 coming into this game.
Four minutes and twenty-five seconds into the first period, the Growlers took a 1-0 lead by Brandon Kruse (6). Pavel Gogolev assisted with his goal. Fourteen minutes and twenty-five seconds later, the Royals tied the game 1-1 on a shorthanded goal by Jacob Gaucher (17). Charlie Gerard assisted with his goal. The score remained tied 1-1 after one period and the Royals had five shots on goal.
Nine minutes and forty-seven seconds into the second period, Sam Hu (6) scored to make it 2-1 Royals. Will MacKinnon and Devon Paliani assisted with his goal. The Royals led 2-1 after two periods and had 16 shots on goal in the second period.
Three minutes and fifty-one seconds into the third period, Charlie Gerard (28) scored a goal for a 3-1 lead. Three minutes and thirty-two seconds later, Evan Barratt (12) scored a power play goal. It was now 4-1 Royals with Charlie Gerard and Max Newton assisting his goal.
Seven minutes and fifty-two seconds later, Shane Sellar (14) scored a power play goal for a 5-1 lead. Jacob Gaucher and Mason Millman assisted with his goal. Five minutes and forty-three seconds later, Alec Butcher (15) scored to make it 6-1. Jacob Gaucher assisted with his goal.
The Royals defeated the Growlers by the final score of 6-1 to snap a two-game winless streak. Reading finished the night with 30 shots, 2-4 on the power play, and Pat Nagle made 29 saves. On the other side, the Growlers had 30 shots, 0-7 on the power play, and Dryden McKay made 24 saves.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday at 5:30 pm. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub.
