Photo Credit: Jaidin Cardona
Photo Credit: Jaidin Cardona
The Reading Royals are no strangers to the Newfoundland Growlers, I mean no one really forgets the Royals being up 3-1 in the series last year in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Growlers came back and won the series in seven games 4-3.
“You get a little bit more energy and excitement in the building, that transfers over to the guys and gives them a little extra boost,” Royals coach James Henry said on Thursday.
Fortunately, the team is pumped for the series ahead. They want to feed off the crowds energy, and take a strangle hold of this the series right out of the gate. The Royals will play the first three games at home, and then the next four on the road and that is of course if some of the games are necessary.
“We can use it to our advantage, play well at home, take care of business at home, and set yourself up for the later part of the series,” Coach Henry said on Thursday.
Evan Barratt agrees with his coach, “The first games are going to really set the tone, playing at home in front of our crowd. We are pretty confident.”
During the press conference Barratt called Pat Nagle an “ECHL Legend.” That’s big praise coming from a teammate, to which Nagle laughed about it during his presser.
One of the keys for the Royals is not to take their feet off the gas pedal. It’s very important to finish each game strong, Newfoundland has a history of coming back. The last thing the Royals want to do is make the Growlers feel good about themselves, if say Reading is up big in one game.
“Special teams are a huge factor. Not to take away from your question, but on the flip side Newfoundland’s power play has been doing quite well,” Henry said. “Our penalty kill needs to be prepared and make sure that we’re able to do what we can to limit their opportunities on the power play.”
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This is a big series for the Royals and it all begins tonight. Hopefully, the Royals can’t get off to a good start right away and make their presence known in this series.
The series schedule has been revised
Game 1: Saturday, Santander Arena, 7 p.m.
Game 2: Sunday, Santander Arena, 3 p.m.
Game 3: Tuesday, May 9, Santander Arena, 7 p.m.
Game 4: Thursday, May 11, at Newfoundland, 5:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Saturday, May 13, at Newfoundland, 5:30 p.m.
*Game 6: Monday, May 15, at Newfoundland, 5:30 p.m.
*Game 7: Tuesday, May 16, at Newfoundland, 5:30 p.m.
