The Reading Royals (37-22-4) concluded a three-game road trip at WesBanco Arena for game two against the Wheeling Nailers (26-33-5) for the eighth time this year. Coming into this game, the Royals were 2-5 against the Nailers this year.
Eleven minutes and thirty-nine seconds into the first period, Max Newton (26) scored to make it 1-0 for the Royals. Charlie Gerard and Tyler Heidt assisted with his goal. A short time later, Alec Butcher (19) scored a power play goal to make it 2-0 with an assist from Jacob Gaucher.
Three minutes later, Jacob Gaucher (19) scored and it was 3-0 Royals. Charlie Gerard and Mason Millman assisted with his goal. With 33 seconds left, Peter Laviolette (4) got the Nailers on the board. It was 3-1 Royals. David Drake and Jarrett Lee assisted with Laviolette’s goal. The Royals had 12 shots on goal and led 3-1 after one period.
Fifty-seven seconds into the second period, Jarrett Lee (1) cut the Royals’ lead to 3-2. Tanner Laderoute assisted with his goal. Two minutes and forty-one seconds later, the Nailers tied the game 3-3 on a goal by Peter Laviolette (5) with assists from Ross Krieger and Ryan Da Silva.
Four minutes later, Charlie Gerard (31) put the Royals back up 4-3. Jacob Gaucher and Shane Sellar assisted with his goal. The Royals had 13 shots on goal and led 4-3 after two periods.
With 58 seconds left of the third period, Max Newton (27) put the game away with an empty net goal for a 5-3 lead. Ted McGeen and Will MacKinnon assisted with his goal. The Royal had four shots and defeated the Nailers by the final score of 5-3. The Royals are now 6-3-1 in their last ten games.
The Royals finished the afternoon with 29 shots, 1-4 on the power play, and Pat Nagle made 24 saves. On the other side, the Nailers had 27 shots, 0-5 on the power play, and Tommy Nappier made 24 saves.
The Royals return to Santander Arena to start a four-game homestand. They take on the Adirondack Thunder on Wednesday at 7 pm. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub and Viagogo.
