The Reading Royals returned to the Santander Arena on Saturday night to take on the Maine Mariners in game six of the Kelly Cup playoffs. Coming into this game, the Royals led the series three games to two. The Royals made a statement in this game.
A minute and thirty-nine seconds into the first period, Devon Paliani (1) put the Royals up 1-0 with an assist by Evan Barratt. Eleven minutes and fifty-six seconds later, Mitchell Fossier (3) scored for the Mariners, tying the game 1-1 with assists from Mathew Santos and Curtis Hall.
Two minutes and fifteen seconds later, the Royals took a 2-1 on a goal by Jacob Gaucher (4) with assists from Evan Barratt and Colin Felix. The Royals had ten shots on goal and led 2-1 after one period.
Three minutes and sixteen seconds into the second period, the Mariners tied the game 2-2 on a goal by Nick Master (2) with assists from Mitchell Fossier and Andrew Peski. Two minutes and five seconds later, Garrett McFadden (1) put the Royals back up 3-2 with assists from Charlie Gerard and Mason Millman.
Then, forty-four seconds later, Zayde Wisdom (3) made it 4-2 Royals with assists from Evan Barratt and Jacob Gaucher. The Royals had 13 shots on goal and led 4-2 after two periods.
Six minutes and thirty-four seconds into the third period, Tyler Heidt (1) scored a power play goal for a 5-2 lead with Jacob Gaucher and Mason Millman assisting with his goal. Two minutes and twenty-nine seconds later, Brendan Hoffmann (2) made it 6-2 Royals. Solag Bakich and Alec Butcher assisted with his goal.
The Royals defeated the Mariners by the final score of 6-2. They win the series four games to two and advance to the second round of the Kelly Cup playoffs against either the Newfoundland Growlers or the Adirondack Thunder.
The Royals finished the night with 33 shots, 1-5 on the power play, and Pat Nagle made 21 saves. On the other side, the Mariners had 23 shots, 0-2 on the power play, and Francois Brassard made 27 saves.
Tickets for the second round of the Kelly Cup playoffs are available on StubHub and Viagogo.
