Photo Credit: Joe Borek
It was the first start for former Providence College netminder Hayden Hawkey for the Royals, as he and the team were looking to grab both points today from the Admirals. He was opposite of Beck Warm who was in the net for the Norfolk Admirals. The Royals got off to a good start as Jared Brandt was able to pot one for his first of the season 6:37 into the tilt on a nice point shot assisted by his defense partner Drake and Low. Then on the Admirals Power Play, Hawkey made one very nice glove stop from a side angle shot. Furthermore right as the penalty expired Hawkey had a very nice kick out pad save. With 4:53 to go in the 1st, the shots were Royals six and the Admirals eight. The Royals were doing a nice job at limiting high octane chances. The one aforementioned pad save chance by the Admirals, Hawkey was up to the task. Overall it was a very nice first period of action from Hawkey and his Royals mates. They did a very nice job at keeping the Admirals to the outside limiting any high-level scoring chances. The shots were Royals eight and the Admirals nine at the end of the first.
The Royals basically started the second period on the penalty kill, as Drake took a penalty 27 seconds into the second stanza. Hawkey made a couple of big pad saves on this PK with the lone one getting past him being called off for goalie interference. It was blatant goalie interference. Moments later the Royals were on a Power Play of their own. The Royals third of the game after having two in the first period. They were not able to get one but not for the lack of an “A” level chance. Low fanned on an open shot out front when Beck Warm was out of position. It happens. As all Royal fans know Low isn’t a player who will let that affect him. Also, according to coach Kirk MacDonald, he was a big motivation in the locker room before today’s game with tired legs as well. Basically saying the Royals are gonna catch the Admirals today since they will take our Royals for granted due to playing three in a row. He was spot on as this was a fantastic game for him and his fellow Royals mates keeping the Admirals outside the entire game.
Moments later the Admirals thought they had another goal but no dice. Yet again they interfered with Hawkey disallowing the goal. On the flip side, the Royals themselves could have been up more in this game as well with Cressey wiping out and Low missing his shot. Then later Cressey got stuffed in front on a nice save from Warm. Cressey was buzzing. He just didn’t have anything to show for it cause of Warm and bad luck like when he hit the post after a nice move. The shots were Royals 11 Admirals eight in the second period making the game total Royals 19 and Admirals 17. All in all, this was another productive period for the Royals as they again kept the Admirals to the outside limiting high-level scoring chances. Then when needed Hawkey was sharp as a tact especially on the Penalty kill. Now onto the third and final period.
In the third period, the Royals looked to just keep playing their game and keeping the Admirals to the outside as they did so well the first two periods. They did just that and more closing out the game well. They did have to kill off another early penalty as Cecere took one only 46 seconds in. The Royals again did a fine job on the penalty kill continuing to frustrate the Admirals. Then only seconds later on a great net front battle to the front Jacob Pritchard was able to stay hot and pick up yet another goal with a very fun lively celebration. However then only moments later the Admirals were able to pot one that was actually legal on a nice shot from Nick Schaus. Then Pritchard took a tripping penalty shortly thereafter to put the Royals back on the kill. The Royals were again up to the task of killing the penalty and Pritchard as expected was still fire after helping to generate a chance on the other end right out of the box. The Royals then got a Power Play of their own where on this one Norfolk did a good job of not allowing Reading any room to do much of anything.
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Just like the first two periods, our Royals did a very nice job keeping the Admirals to the outside. Even their goal was not an “A” level chance it was just a good shot from Schaus from the outside that got through and past Hawkey. A very sharp Hawkey in that. Who flashed his glove for one more highlight save with 17 seconds left. He definitely was a star of the night having sat all this time and showing up big time for the Royals in his first game for the team. The other stars are the defense as a whole especially Drake who continues to play an impressive all-around game. Then of course the winning goal man Jacob Pritchard who stayed on fire. It is mighty impressive that the Royals were able to play such a good force the Admirals outside game the entire tilt after this being their 3rd game in three days. This was a game the Royals deserved to win and they did just that now capturing 3 of the possible 6 points this weekend. Very nicely done from our Royals. The Royals face off again this Wednesday against the Trois-Rivieres Lions at 7 pm in Quebec as they look to carry their hot play up north. Go Royals.
