Date Published: 1-25-2023
Photo Credit: Jaidin Cardona
Royals head north for a mid-week match-up against north division foe, Trois-Rivières Lions. The Lions sit in 5th in the north division with 30 points, holding a record of 14-21-2. In their last 10 games, Trois-Rivières is 1-8-1. After tonight’s game, Trois-Rivières will hit the road for seven straight-away games all against divisional opponents.
The Royals are coming off two straight wins as they swept the Norfolk Admirals in a home-and-away series over the weekend. Reading sits in 2nd place, with a record of 24-11-1, 49 points. The Growlers lead the north division with 53 points, just four points ahead of Reading.
The three games this week could be crucial in the race as Newfoundland will have a tough task on the road in Cincinnati for three straight. The Royals will play the Lions tonight and hit the road for Worcester Friday night as they play a home-and-away series this weekend beginning Friday night in Massachusetts.
The goaltending situation isn’t as bad as what we saw with Norfolk but Lion’s goaltenders are still struggling. Both goaltenders’ SV% are .880 and below, and both have above 3.50 GAA. Francis Marotte has a record of 1-4-1, with a .878 SV% and 3.58 GAA. Joe Vrbetic has a record of 6-7-0, with a .880 SV% and 3.75 GAA.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
Nolan Maier has been strong this season for Reading. He’s bounced back and forth from Lehigh Valley with veteran netminder, Pat Nagle. Maier has seemed to hit his stride in Reading he has a record of 10-4 -1, with a .908 SV% and 2.43 GAA. The young goaltender is yet to get a shut-out this season but he’s been close numerous times.
Brett Stapley is my Trois-Rivières player to watch. Stapley is tied for most assists on the Lions and also tied for second in points on the roster. He has 17 assists with only two goals but he also has eight fewer games played than the leading point scorer and 13 fewer than his teammate he’s tied with in assists.
The Royals look to make it three straight coming off those back-to-back wins over the Admirals. When scoring first this season, Reading is 17-4-1. Reading has a .773 win percentage, which is the best among north division teams.
