Maine stymies Reading, 4-2

Reading, PA – Alex Krushelnyski and Charlie Vasaturo scored, but Maine Mariners netminder Chris Nell blocked 34 shots and prevented the Reading Royals from tying in the third to give Maine a 4-2 win Wednesday at Santander Arena. Vasaturo tallied at 2:10 of the third, his first since joining Reading. Sean Day (2g, 1a) answered 59 seconds later to extend Maine’s edge back to 4-2.

Krushelnyski’s first-period goal extended his team points lead (3g, 11 pts.). He has three points (1g) in the season series vs. Maine. Michael Huntebrinker assisted on the goal and is riding a career-long eight-game point streak.

Maine forward and Haverford, PA native Ryan Ferrill scored an insurance goal at 6:49 of the second on a left-circle shot, moving the Mariners edge to 3-1.

Angus Redmond made 18 saves (4 GA) and was pulled three minutes into the third. In relief, Branden Komm blocked 10 shots.

The teams combined for three goals in the first and Maine scored the first two goals.

The Royals are at Adirondack Fri., Nov. 9 at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, Reading returns home to host Adirondack on MOVEMBER Men’s Cancer Awareness Night, with a team picture giveaway pres. by Rieck’s Printing (photo courtesy of Purdon Photography).

Box ScoreThe Mariners scored the opening two goals in the first period, but a late-frame strike from Krushelnyski cut into the Maine lead and made it 2-1 after one.

Day scored the first goal on a seeing-eye, left-point wrist shot, his first professional goal at 5:06 of the first. Scott Savage bagged a short-handed goal on a wrist shot from the left circle, assisted by Hayden Verbeek. It was the first short-handed goal the Royals have surrendered this season.

Krushelnyski scored 1:23 later on the power play. On the rush, he centered from the left circle off a Mariners stick and it nicked over Nell’s left shoulder. Steven Swavely registered the only assist. The Royals were 1-for-4 on the man up.

With the Royals down, 3-1, entering the third, Vasaturo aimed a right-point shot through Nell’s legs with 2:10 elapsed in the third, assisted by Steven Swavely.

Reading killed three of Maine’s four power-play opportunities.“Movember” Men’s Night vs. Adirondack: Nov. 10, 7:00 p.m.Team Picture giveaway, pres. by Rieck’s Printing. Game 1 of our 3-game partnership with American Cancer Society – Package here

Get your name on a Royals jersey and tickets to 3 games with American Cancer Society PackageDetails in link above.

Special Olympics Night vs. Newfoundland: Nov. 16, 7:00 p.m.

Veteran’s Day Game with rally towel giveaway vs. Newfoundland: Nov. 17, 7:00 p.m.First 2,500 fans receive a rally towel, pres. by UGI Utilities. Double-ampute, Eagle Scout and Sixers anthem singer Ron C. Brooks will perform the Star Spangled Banner.

About the RoyalsThe Royals have been owned by serial entrepreneur Jack Gulati since 2014 and are entering their 18th ECHL season. Proudly affiliated with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Reading plays in the Santander Arena, located in downtown Reading, PA at 700 Penn Street. The Royals won the Kelly Cup in 2013, have made the playoffs in nine straight seasons and are four-time division champions.

Listen to all Royals broadcasts at Mixlr.com/ReadingRoyals or by downloading the Mixlr App from the App Store or Google Play.