The Reading Royals (39-25-6) returned to the Santander Arena on Wednesday night in their eleventh and final meeting of the season against the Norfolk Admirals (21-44-5. Coming into this game, the Royals led the season series 6-4.
Two minutes and twenty-seven seconds into the first period, Norfolk took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Blake Murray (10) with an assist from Darren McCormick. Three minutes and twenty-nine seconds later, the Royals tied the game 1-1 by Evan Barratt (23) with assists from Zayde Wisdom and Jacob Gaucher. Later, Max Newton (33) put the Royals up 2-1 with assists from Charlie Gerard and Solag Bakich. The Royals had ten shots and led 2-1 after one period.
In the second period, the Admirals scored two goals in the first four minutes and fifty-seven seconds by Josh McDougall (3) and Eric Cooley (9) for a 3-2 lead. Seven minutes and twenty-seven seconds into the period, Charlie Gerard (32) scored. The game was now tied 3-3. Max Newton and Mason Millman assisted with Gerard’s goal.
Eight minutes and sixteen seconds later, Denis Smirnov (8) scored for Norfolk for a 4-2 lead with assists from Gueorgui Feduolov and Danny Katic. A minute and twenty-nine seconds later, Evan Barratt (24) scored. It was now 4-4 Norfolk. The Royals had 14 shots but trailed 4-4 after two periods.
In the third period, it was all Norfolk. Brian Bowen (13, 14), and Denis Smirnov (9) scored for the Admirals to make it 7-4. The Royals had nine shots and fell to the Admirals by the final score of 7-4. The Royals win the season series 6-5 and hold the all-time record against Norfolk of 35-12-4.
The Royals finished the night with 33 shots, 0-1 on the power play, and Pat Nagle made 17 shots. On the other side, the Admirals had 24 shots, 2-3 on the power play, and Cale Morris made 29 saves.
The Royals meet the Newfoundland Growlers for the final two games of the regular season starting Friday at 7 pm. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub and Viagogo.
