The Reading Royals (38-22-5) continued their four-game homestand at the Santander Arena on Friday night against the Trios-Rivieres Lions (25-37-3) for the eighth time this year. Coming into this game, the Royals were 5-2 against the Lions this year.
Six minutes and ten seconds into the first period, Colin Felix (7) scored to make it 1-0 Royals. Solag Bakich and Devon Paliani assisted with his goal. A minute and thirty-four seconds later, Brett Stapley (10) scored that tied the game 1-1. Zach Kaiser and Cole Gallant assisted with his goal. The Royals had 11 shots but the game remained tied 1-1 after one period.
Thirty-eight seconds into the second period, Max Newton (29) scored to put the Royals back in the lead 2-1. Charlie Gerard and Ryan Finnegan assisted with his goal. Thirty seconds later, Jacob Gaucher (21) scored and it was 3-1 with assists from Evan Barratt and Garrett McFadden.
Thirteen minutes and fifty-two seconds later, Max Newton (30) scored his second goal of the game on the power play for a 4-1 lead. Garrett McFadden and Charlie Gerard assisted with his goal. Two minutes and forty-two seconds later, William Lemay (2) scored a power play goal for the Lions and it was now 4-2. Brett Stapley and Shane Kuzmeski assisted with his goal.
With 18 seconds left of the second period, Jacob Gaucher (22) scored his second goal of the night and it was now 5-2 Royals. Evan Barratt and Will MacKinnon assisted with his goal. The Royals had 13 shots and led 5-2 after two periods.
Eleven minutes and thirty-seven seconds into the third period, Colin Felix (8) scored his second goal of the night for a 6-2 lead. Max Newton and Charlie Gerard assisted with his goal. The Royals defeated the Lions by the final score of 6-2 and have clinched a Kelly Cup playoff spot. In addition, the Royals are now 6-2-2 in their last ten games.
The Royals finished the night with 36 shots, 1-8 in the power play, and Pat Nagle made 24 saves. On the other side, the Lions had 26 shots, 1-3 on the power play, and Etienne Montpetit made 30 saves.
The two teams continue their three-game series from the Santander Arena on Saturday at 4 pm. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub and Viagogo.
