Three Takeaways from 4-3 SOL to Growlers

Here are three takeaways for the 4-3 shootout loss against the Newfoundland Growlers on Saturday by Kaylee Herndon.

Patience over punches

The Reading Royals and Newfoundland Growlers each took two PIM, tied for fewest number of penalty minutes taken by the Royals and by a Royals opponent in a game this season. Despite this, the game turned tense in the third period with shoving but the Royals stayed out of the box, opting to play hockey over throwing punches. The Royals and Growlers have had three fights this season.

Movement by Houk

Joe Houk notched both a goal and an assist and earned the third star in Saturday’s matchup against Newfoundland. The Royals have a record of 8-2-0-1 since Houk joined the team at the end of November. He has two goals and nine assists with Reading.

Dominant Trio

Callum Booth and Andrew D’Agostini have a combined 8-1-0-1 record with the Royals. Over the last ten games, Reading has gone on a season-long winning streak. Over that span, Reading allowed 20 goals. Branden Komm, now in Lehigh Valley, began the season 5-1-1-1 with Reading.