Like the series opener, a defensive battle between both clubs held the game to one goal through the first two periods of play. Reading outshot the Lions 14 to five in the first period and scored the games opening goal 5:12 into regulation on a loose puck tapped into Trois-Rivières’ net by Mason Millman. The defenseman trailed Alec Butcher’s shot on a breakaway and tapped in the rebound that emerged from under Desrosiers in his crease.
Butcher and Trey Bradley earned assists on Millman’s fourth goal of the season. The assist was Bradley’s 100th assist and 150th point of his ECHL career. With the goal, the Royals have scored the game’s first goal in six consecutive contests.
The Lions evened the score 6:06 into the third period on one of their two power play goals in the game. Cedric Montimy batted in a rebound out of mid-air that bounced off of Nagle and Montminy’s chest for Trois-Rivières’ captain to score the equalizer.
Reading answered back with two goals within minutes to take an extended lead into the final five minutes of regulation. Evan Barratt earned his first goal as a Royal on Reading’s first of two power play goals in the period. Bradley earned the primary assist with a cross crease pass for his sixth multi-point game of the season. Dominic Cormier scored on a cross crease feed as well from Shane Sellar 4:29 later for the defenseman’s fourth goal of the season.
In a two-goal hole, the Lions emptied their net for an extra attacker with over three minutes remaining in regulation. Trois-Rivières took advantage of the extra skater and penalty against Charlie Gerard for a 6-on-4 attack for the Lions late. Anthony Beauregard blasted a slapshot past Nagle’s glove to draw the Lions’ deficit within one-goal with 2:36 remaining in the third period.
The Royals took back their two-goal lead 32 seconds later on an empty net goal scored by Garrett McFadden for the captain’s first goal of the season. Jacob Gaucher earned his second assist of the game with the faceoff win to lead to McFadden’s empty net heave from Reading’s own zone for the rookie’s second-straight multi-point game.
The Royals remain undefeated in regulation when leading after two periods (12-0-1) and improve to a record of 11-3-1 against divisional opponents this season.
The Royals return home on Wednesday, Dec. 21st to host the Maine Mariners at 7:00 p.m.
With Reading Royals release
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