ST. JOHN’S, NFL – Michael Huntebrinker completed a hat trick at 7:38 of the third period and tied a career high with four points, slamming the Newfoundland Growlers, 7-5, Friday at Mile One Centre. Huntebrinker is the sixth Royals player to record multiple hat tricks.
The second-year forward provided the Royals the lead for good with his second of the game in the final three minutes of the middle period. It was Reading’s fourth lead of the game. Huntebrinker then potted the hat trick goal, shooting it at the slot off a Newfoundland defender and in at the right post to provide Reading a 6-4 advantage.
The Growlers fought back to tie the contest three times.
Alex Krushelnyski (1 goal, 2 assists), Josh MacDonald (1 goal, 2 assists) and Nick Luukko (2 assists) poured in multi-point games.
Reading held a pair of leads in the first period, but Newfoundland responded twice to tie and took a 3-2 edge after one. Reading’s Scott Dornbrock scored his first professional goal and Huntebrinker tallied at even strength, his fifth straight game with a goal.
Callum Booth moved to 2-0-0-0 with Reading, blocking 26 shots. Michael Garteig allowed seven goals on 26 shots.
The Royals and Growlers rematch on Saturday, December 8th at 5:30 p.m. EST.
Reading returns home to host the Allen Americans for the Weekend of Giving Friday, December 14 – Sunday, December 16. The Weekend of Giving features games at Santander Arena on three straight days, presented by the Salvation Army and Met-Ed. The Weekend of Giving features a clothing drive, toy drive and food drive, plus the team’s annual Teddy Bear Toss on Saturday, December 15th at 7 p.m. with all proceeds on $5 tickets going back to the local Salvation Army on Community Night. The money raised and goods donated with stay locally in Reading and Berks County.
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