Photo Credit: Jaidin Cardona
First Period
Charlie Gerard got things going early in the game as some fans were still finding their seats Charlie netted his 25th of the season just 45 seconds into the opening frame. Matthew Barron responded fourth of the season at 5:18. A few minutes later Barron found twine again giving the Lions two goals on two shots at 8:08. Brendan Hoffman knotted things back up with a wrister over the glove of Vrbetic at 17:20. James Phelan gave the Lions the lead back forcing the rebound home at 18:17. Colin Felix tied things up snapping a wrister past the netminder for his 5th of the season at 19:47, capping off an eventful first period at 3-3.Â
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Second Period
Evan Barrat just 10 seconds into the period one-timed a shot past the pad of the goaltender Vrbetic, forcing his night to be an early one. Joe Vrbetic gave up four goals on 15 shots in 20:10 and his coach saw enough swapping him with Francis Marotte. Charlie Gerard bumped the Royals’ lead up to two with his 26th of the season, tucking in the rebound at 12:16. James Phelan found the back of the net again bringing the game back within one at 15:05. Approximately 30 seconds later Reading was assessed two penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct, giving the Lions a full two minutes of 5-on-3. Ron Francis took advantage knotting the game up at five by one-timing a slap shot short side at 17:03.
3rd Period
Not much happened early and through the midway point of the 3rd except a few scrums and battles until Shane Sellar on the power play tucked it past the goaltender Marcotte giving the Royals the lead at 14:52. Jacob Gaucher extended and capped off the Royals win with his 16th of the season a power play goal at 16:28.
“Obviously getting on the board fairly early, I thought we put their team under pressure a lot and created turnovers extending offensive one time and you know just having that shot mentality. Getting to the net, we earned all those goals so you know obviously, our group is capable of scoring that many and hopefully going forward we’re not giving up more than we did tonight. Obviously a little bit stressful at times with the high scoring and back and forth, but guys stuck with it and found a way to get the win.”
Head Coach, James Henry Following the Win
“… and I don’t know I usually in the start of games I try to get a few puck touches and get into the game early. Millie (Mason Millman) made a great pass up to me and kind of had a two-on-one and there and I just saw short side and kind of ripped it”
Charlie Gerard on the Opening Goal
“Overall I thought we played good, we got to be a little better defensively I think, but obviously getting two points there’s not much to complain about.”
Charlie Gerard following the Win
Final: 7-5 Reading
(TR) Joe Vrbetic 15 – SH | 11 – SV | 4 – GA
(TR) Francis Marcotte 23 – SH | 20 – SV | 3 – GA
(REA) Pat Nagle 32 – SH | 27 – SV | 5 – GA
Three Stars
1. Charlie Gerard – REA
2. Brendan Hoffman – REA
3. Nicolas Guay – TR
Game Length: 2:29 7:01 PM EST – 9:30 PM EST
Attendance: 3,730
