The Reading Royals (33-20-3) continued their visit at Mary Brown’s Centre on Saturday night against the Newfoundland Growlers (38-17-2) for the seventh time this year. Coming into this game, the Growlers led the season series 4-2.
After a scoreless first period, the Royals struck first fifteen minutes and twenty-five seconds into the second period on a goal by Evan Barratt (13) for a 1-0 lead. The Royals led 1-0 after two periods and had 25 shots on goal.
A minute and sixteen seconds into the third period, Evan Barratt (14) scored his second goal for a 2-0 Royals lead. Jacob Gaucher assisted with his goal. Less than a minute later, Max Newton (24) scored a power play goal and it was 3-0 Royals. Garrett McFadden and Mason Millman assisted with his goal.
Then, the Growlers got on the board four minutes later by Todd Skirving (27). It was now 3-1 Royals. Zach O’Brien and Keenan Suthers assisted with his goal. Fifty-eight seconds after the Growlers’ goal, Shane Sellar (15) scored for the Royals. It was 4-1. Alec Butcher and Max Newton assisted with his goal.
The Growlers roared back with three straight goals by Todd Skirving (28), Brett Budgell (11), and Zach O’Brien (21) to tie the game 4-4. The game headed to overtime.
A minute and nine seconds into overtime, Evan Barratt (14) completed the hat trick with a game-winning goal in overtime. The Royals won the game by the final score of 5-4. Alec Butcher assisted with Barratt’s goal. The Royals extend their winning streak to two games and are now 6-4 in their last ten games.
The Royals finished the night with 39 shots, 1-5 on the power play, and Pat Nagle made 30 saves. On the other side, the Growlers had 34 shots, 1-4 on the power play, and Luke Cavallin made 34 saves.
The two teams will go at it again on Sunday at 2:30 pm. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub.
