Rookies key 4-3 Reading win at Adirondack

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Glens Falls, NY – Pascal Laberge scored the game-winning goal late in the second, Max Willman tallied his first professional goal in the third and Kirill Ustimenko denied 24 shots to jolt the Reading Royals to a 4-1 win over the Adirondack Thunder Friday at Cool Insuring Arena. Ustimenko blocked 18 combined shots in the second and third and was perfect after allowing the game’s first goal to Matt Salhany at 10:19 of the first.

Reading rattled off the four unanswered goals; two in the second and two in the third, completing a three-game road trip with a 2-0-1-0 record. The Royals are 7-1-1-0 in their last eight games and first in the North Division with 20 points (9-4-2-0).

Eamon McAdam blocked 22 shots (3 GA) in defeat.

Frank DiChiara’s 8th of the season (PPG) tied the game at one halfway through the second. In the final two minutes of the second, Pascal Laberge (3rd of season) scored an unassisted goal to place Reading ahead by one going into the third. The lead held, and for insurance, Willman’s toe drag, cross over from right post to left doorstep and pitch in to cage (PPG) gave the Royals their first two-goal advantage.

The Royals start a season-long six-game home stand Sat., Nov. 16 vs.  Wheeling for the annual Veteran’s Day Game. Saturday’s promotions include $1 domestic draft specials, a UGI Utilities Rally Towel Giveaway, special military jerseys, postgame photos on the ice with the players and a pregame performance by the band “Heaven’s Thunder.” Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7:00 p.m. game.

With Reading Royals release