The Reading Royals returned to the Cross Insurance Arena on Tuesday night in game three of the Kelly Cup playoffs against the Maine Mariners. Reading once again aimed to get one game closer to clinching the series. Coming into this game, the Royals led the series 2-1.
Six minutes and thirteen seconds in the first period, Connor Doherty (1) put the Mariners up 1-0 with assists from Marc-Olivier Duquette and Alex Kile. Five minutes and fifty-seven seconds later, Jacob Gaucher (2) tied the game 1-1 with assists from Evan Barratt and Zayde Wisdom.
Six minutes and fifteen seconds later, Mathew Santos (1) put Maine back in the lead 2-1 with an assist from Tim Doherty. The Royals had six shots but trailed 2-1 after one period.
A minute and twenty-four seconds into the second period, Charlie Gerard (2) scored for the Royals, tying the game 2-2 with assists from Max Newton and Solag Bakich. Three minutes and twelve seconds later, Gabriel Chicoine (1) put the Mariners back up 3-2 with assists from Mitchell Fossier and Mathew Santos.
With 36 seconds left of the period, Curtis Hall (2) scored a power play, extending the Mariners’ lead to 4-2 with assists from Alex Kile and Gabriel Chicoine. The Royals had 18 shots but trailed 4-2 after two periods.
Six minutes and eighteen seconds into the third period, Carter Johnson (1) added another goal for Maine. It was now 5-2 with assists from Alex Kile and Alex-Olivier Voyer. Later, Carter Johnson (2) made it 6-2 Mariners with assists from Marc-Olivier Duquette and Tyler Hinam.
With under three minutes left in the game, Ryan Cook (1) scored for the Royals. It was 6-3 Mariner with Alec Butcher and Shane Sellar assisting Cook’s goal. A minute and six seconds later, Carter Johnson scored an empty net goal for a 7-3 lead. The Royals had 15 shots but lost game three to the Mariners by the final score of 7-3. The series is now tied at two apiece.
The Royals finished the night with 39 shots, 0-4 on the power play, and Nolan Maier made 34 saves. On the other side, the Mariners had 41 shots, 1-4 on the power play, and Francois Brassard made 36 saves.
The Royals and Mariners play game five on Wednesday at 7 pm. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub and Viagogo.
