After a scoreless first period with 10 shots on goal for each team, Maine broke the scoreless affair at 10:48 of the second period. Patrick Guay beat Purpura for his third goal of the season assisted by Carter Johnson. Reading responded at 14:12 on Lou-Felix Denis’ first professional career goal to even the score, 1-1. However, the Mariners restored their lead 52 seconds later on Christian Berger’s first pro career goal at 15:04 to put Maine in front, 2-1, after 40 minutes.
Maine jumped out to a two-goal lead 1:12 into the third period on Brooklyn Kalmikov’s first goal of the season. From the left wing, Kalmikov tapped in a cross-crease pass from Jacob Hudson to put Maine up, 3-1.
At 17:32 into the third period, Tyler Gratton scored during a Reading power play on a rebound from Jacques Bouquot’s wrist shot off of Bischel’s left pad. Bouquot and Cassaro earned the helpers to draw the game back to one goal, 3-2. With their net empty, Reading surrendered an empty net goal to Kalmikov from center ice at 18:04 in the third period. The Royals drew the score back within one with 43 seconds remaining in regulation on a Powell Connor snipe past Bischel to make it, 4-3.
The comeback effort for Reading could not be completed as Maine iced the game with an empty net goal at 19:24 from Hudson to seal the 5-3 Maine win. Reading was outshot 32 to 28 in the game and went 1/2 on the power play while the penalty kill killed 3/3 Maine power plays.
The Royals return home on Wednesday, November 6th to host the Norfolk Admirals at 7:00 PM at Santander Arena for a Wild Wednesday promotional game.