READING, PA – Alex Krushelnyski jammed in a rebound at the right post with 32.6 seconds left in overtime, sending the Reading Royals (3-0-0-0) to a 4-3 win over the Toledo Walleye (2-1-1-0) Thursday at Santander Arena.
Ryan Penny passed to Krushelnyski, who initially had a chance blocked. Whirling around, Krushelnyski (1 goal, 1 assist) potted his second goal of the season,throwing it in through Pat Nagle’s five-hole.
Chris McCarthy scored twice in the third period to tie the game.
Down by two, McCarthy jumpstarted the comeback with a deflection at the left post to trim the deficit to one with 14 minutes left. Two minutes later, he struck again with a power-play goal from the left circle on a slap shot.
The Royals have won three straight games to start the season for the first time ever. This is the second time Reading has won three consecutive overtime games.
Mark Dekanich made four saves in overtime and denied 25 shots. Nagle allowed four goals on 36 shots.
The Royals took the first eight shots and both teams failed to score in the first. Mark Dekanich denied six shots.
After killing off a power play, Toledo’s Christian Hilbrich scored his first goal, deflecting a right-point shot by Parker Reno through the five-hole at 1:02.
Facing intense pressure, the Royals scored four minutes later to tie the game. James de Haas cleared the zone and Naclerio went to the backhander and roofed one to the top left pocket.
With 8:35 left in the period, Hilbrich slammed one in at the slot to give the Walleye a 2-1 edge.
The Royals were perfect on the penalty kill (2-for-2) and were 1-for-5 on the man up.
On Sun., Oct. 29 at 4 p.m., the Royals look to spook Adirondack wearing special Halloween jerseys.
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