Reading edges Manchester to grab playoff spot

READING, PA – Ryan Penny (2 goals) scored in the final three minutes to tie, Michael Huntebrinker tallied the shootout-winning goal and the Reading Royals overcame a three-goal deficit to clinch a berth in the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs, 5-4, Friday over the Manchester Monarchs at Santander Arena. It is the ninth straight season the Royals have secured a playoff spot. Huntebrinker scored his fourth shootout-winning goal of the season, faking with his right shoulder and finishing with a tuck in at the left post during the top of the first round.

John Muse (win, 33 saves) denied all three Monarchs in the shootout. He has won consecutive starts since returning to the Royals from Lehigh Valley (AHL).

Reading is up to 82 points, one behind Adirondack for second in the North Division.

The Royals scored three straight in the second to tie the game at three. Penny, Chris McCarthy and Matt Willows scored. Willows has 30 goals this season, the sixth Royals player to hit that single-season milestone. The third-year professional also knocked home his 200th professional point with the tying strike. Reading allowed three strikes in the first period. Charles Williams (SOL, 25 saves) suffered his second shootout loss of the season series to the Royals.

The Monarchs started the scoring with a quick tally at 3:44 of the opening frame by Michael Doherty, slamming home a rebound assisted by Jayce Hsawryluk and David Kolomatis. Jordan Lavallee-Smotherman (12:52) and Kevin Morris (16:53) tallied in the final half of the frame to extend the edge to 3-0 Manchester after one. Shots were 14-8 Monarchs in the first.

Reading pounced with consecutive goals in 17 seconds early in the second to cut the deficit to 3-2. Standing at the right circle, Nick Neville slung it to Penny at the left post and the winger jammed in the puck at 3:26 of the period. Adam Schmidt recorded the secondary assist.

Off the ensuing face-off and 17 seconds later, the center McCarthy gained steam on a 2-on-2 rush, crossed the center blue line and ripped a 50-footer to the top right shelf and in. Matias Cleland zoomed the feed to McCarthy and had the primary assist. A fourth-year professional from Collegeville, PA, McCarthy has a single-season high 21 goals this campaign. Matt Wilkins had the secondary assist.

McCarthy assisted the tying goal with 2:36 to go in the second. Driving the left post, he momentarily delayed and fed Willows. He tucked it in at the right doorstep. Wilkins again had the second helper.

Alexx Privatera smacked a one-timed slap shot from the top of the right circle, assisted by Hawryluk and Rob Hamilton, with 10:20 to go, providing Manchester a 4-3 advantage.

The Royals pulled for the extra skater with about 2:30 to go and tied seconds later. Huntebrinker cradled and whirled it to the front of cage. With Williams searching for it, Penny nicked it in at the left doorstep. Cleland (2 assists) registered the secondary assist. Penny has three multi-goal games this campaign.

Manchester outshot the Royals in overtime, 4-1.

Muse denied Ashton Rome, Hawryluk and Spencer Watson in the shootout. Huntebrinker scored the skills competition’s only tally.

The Thunder and Royals face off Saturday at 7 p.m.