The Reading Royals (36-21-4) started a three-game road on Saturday night at the Huntington Center against the Toledo Walleye (41-16-6) in their first and only meeting of the season.
Four minutes and forty seconds into the first period, Devon Paliani (13) put the Royals up 1-0. Fourteen minutes and five seconds later, the Walleye tied the game 1-1 on a goal by Jake Willets (1) with assists by Sam Craggs and John Albert. The game remained tied 1-1 after one period.
After a scoreless second period, Alec Butcher (18) put the Royals up 2-1 seven minutes and six seconds into the third period scoring a power play goal. Tyler Heidt and Jacob Gaucher assisted with his goal. Two minutes and eight seconds later, Tyler Heidt (3) extended the Royals’ lead to 3-1 with assists from Garrett McFadden and Alec Butcher.
Four minutes and sixteen seconds later, Brandon Hawkins (34) scored a power play goal to pull within one. The Walleye trailed the Royals 3-2 with assists by Derek Daschke and Ryan Cox. Shortly after the goal, the Royals put the game away 4-2 by Devon Paliani (14) with an assist by Mason Millman. The Royals defeated the Walleye by the final score of 3-2.
The Royals finished the night with 22 shots, 1-1 on the power play, and Pat Nagle made 40 saves. Pat Nagle becomes the ECHL’s second all-time leading goaltender for wins with his 218th victory. On the other side, the Walleye had 42 shots, 1-3 on the power play, and Sebastian Cossa made 18 saves.
The Royals visit the WesBanco Arena for a two-game series against the Wheeling Nailers starting Saturday at 7:10 pm. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub and Viagogo.
