Photo Credit: Emily Raffle
Mid-week mayhem as the Reading Royals faced the Adirondack Thunder this past Wednesday night in a playoff spot clinching scenario.
The first period was hot right off the draw for both squads. It consisted of two penalties, one on either side, and one goal. The first goal was scored by Max Newtown, which happened to be his 28th of the season, assisted by Charlie Gerard who now has 67 points on the season. In addition, the Royals Penalty Kill shined with the PK unit defending while one man down while Jacob Gaucher sat in the box for holding. The Thunder Penalty Kill unit also showed just as much strength with Shane Harper in the box for roughing. Low and behold, the period ended with the score at 1-0, and the shots on goal at a wealthy 21 shots for Reading and a chunk of change shots at nine for Adirondack.
It’s crazy to believe, but the second period consisted of a total of three goals and six penalties. Both Gaucher and Alec Butcher got on the board with a goal each. The Royals penalty kill unit outshined themselves in the second period on all four of their penalties except one. Shane Harper slipped one past Bailey Brkin to end the period at 3-2.
The third period led to overtime thanks to Brady Fleurent. It was an abnormally quiet period on the Royals side with no goals to show for their effort. Unfortunately, the Thunder overtime goal was scored by Patrick Grasso. The Royals Power Play unit, which has been exceptional as of late came up a little short with the four golden opportunities to close out the game, but they could not capitalize.
Here is what Forward Alec Butcher had to say about on the lack of success with the man advantage, “If you don’t score, if you’re generating chances, getting momentum, that’s important. As long as we’re getting chances and keep the ball moving in the right direction.” Giving props and also critiques, the 20 goal
scorer stays confident in their Power Play units.
Unfortunately, the Royals fell 4-3 in overtime, thus neglecting to clinch a playoff spot. However, there is still hope for that possibility this coming weekend. The Royals face Trois-Rivières Lions for a three game series on home ice this weekend at Santander Arena, with a possibility of clinching a Kelly Cup Playoff berth on Friday night.
