Photo Credit: Sarah Pietrowski
Reading, PA – The Admirals sail away, back to Norfolk with 5 earned out of 6 possible points. Reading defeated Norfolk back on Wednesday night, 6-5 in overtime. Reading wishing they hadn’t given the Admirals a point in that contest, Reading led 5-3 with under 3 minutes to play. Two goals while having the extra attacker out there forced the session a few nights ago. The Admirals defeated the Adirondack Thunder the night prior in Glens Falls, NY. The final of that contest was 6 – 3. An NHL-contracted goaltending battle would be on display, Will Cranley under contract with the St. Louis Blues. On the other side in net for Norfolk Yaniv Perets, is currently under contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. The Admirals took this contest with a late game-winning goal from Norfolk winger, Brian Bowen.
RECAP
A pretty even game through the first twenty minutes. Reading and Norfolk each netted a goal, nearly two minutes apart. Justin Robidas opened the scoring with an absolute missile past the glove of Cranley, bar down for his fourth of the season at 1:59. Yvan Mongo evened the scoring with a goal that was set up perfectly on his tape, a saucer pass by linemate Brendan Hoffman at 3:42. Both teams had a power play chance in the period, the only team who looked strong on special teams was the Admirals penalty kill which received a couple scoring chances. Despite shots being so close, the Royals were fortunate to be tied at the end of the frame. Norfolk had several chances late, but Will Cranley and the Royals defense had the answer to close out the period knotted up at one.
No goals in the second period, a physical and defensive frame. Cranley and Perets were stupendous for their clubs. Will Cranley stopped all 11 he faced for Reading, on the other end of the ice, Perets stopped all 12. A lone power play for the Royals late in the period that would carry over to the third, and ultimately be killed off.
Another physical and defensive period that seemed like it was gonna be another scoreless frame. Cranley with yet another strong frame between the pipes, keeping Reading in it. Brendan Hoffman and Darick Louis-Jean dropped the gloves after Louis-Jean took exception to Hoffman’s penalized hit. A strong penalty kill would keep the game knotted at one, late in the period. After what Royals’ head coach, James Henry called a “mental lapse”, Brian Bowen broke past the defense and netted the game-winner. Bowen’s breakaway goal gave Cranley no chance, a dirty backhand goal at the 17:50 mark.
Will Cranley stopped 26 of the 28 Norfolk shot attempts he faced, and Yaniv Perets made 23 saves on the 24 shots he faced.
Reading host the always-tough, Newfoundland Growlers next weekend. Both teams will face off on Friday the 17th, and Saturday the 18th. WhoDunIt? Night on Friday followed by Scooby-Doo/Pucks & Paws on Saturday. Both night’s puck drop is set for approximately 7:00 p.m.
Santander Arena | Reading, PA
