Photo Credit: Jaidin Cardona
First Period
The Royals were struggling halfway through the first held to just 2 shots. Reading would finish the period with 7 shots to Maine’s 9. Reading had 3 power plays in the period even having a 2-man advantage late in the period but failed to convert on all of them.
Second Period
Reading controlled the pace of play all period, but no goals. Maine was outshot 17-5 in the period, the game totaling 25-14 at the end. No penalties on either side and a “clean’ period from both clubs.
Third Period
Solag Bakich opened the scoring 40:21 into the game, :21 into the period. Curtis Hall knotted things up by redirecting the puck past Nagle at 13:15. Charlie Gerard, the 1st star of the game redirected the puck past DiPietro for the game-winner at 16:06. Maine threatened but couldn’t find twine and a bench-minor for too-many men at 17:45 to seal the Royals victory.
“It’s kind of the cliche answer of like sticking with it. We talked about it going into the third period of how are team is successful. We stay the course, we don’t force plays when the game is tight we keep playing the right away. We’re trying to make smart decisions with the puck and trying to get the puck back by being in good position. I thought the guys did a really good job of being disciplined in that sense and that led to us finding a way to create some offense late in the game.”
Head Coach, James Henry Following the Win
“It’s always nice to put up points to help the team win games. Overall I thought the team played great. Patty Nags in net was phenomenal as always. Gotta give credit to Maine their a good team. It was a great battle for the first 40 minutes there. We came out in the third playing hard, lucky Backy (Bakich) buried that and gave us the momentum.”
Charlie Gerard on the Team’s Performance
Final: 2-1 Reading
REA Leads Series 1-0
SOG: 33-26 REA
(MNE) Michael DiPietro 33 – SH | 31 – SV | 2 – GA (L)
(REA) Pat Nagle 26 – SH | 25 – SV | 1 – GA (W)
Three Stars
1. Charlie Gerard – REA – 1 G, 1 A
2. Solag Bakich – REA – 1 G, 1 A
3. Pat Nagle – REA – 25 Saves on 26 Shots
Game Length: 2:35 7:00 PM EST – 9:35 PM EST
Attendance: 2,365
