Strong, Cressey score first ECHL goals in 4-3 win at Trois-Rivières

The Reading Royals, proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, topped the Trois-Rivières Lions, 4-3, Friday, Nov. 5th at Colisée de Trois-Rivières in their first of two games on the road this weekend. Royals goaltender Pat Nagle saved 33 of 36 shots, while Lions goalie Kevin Poulin saved 20 of 24. 

BOX SCORE

Cam Strong got the Royals on the board early with a wrist shot ripped from the side of Poulin's cage 10:09 into the first period. The Royals followed Strong’s first professional goal shortly with their second of two in the opening 20 minutes. Charlie Gerard received a cross-crease pass from Jacob Pritchard and whistled it past the diving Poulin in net. Brayden Low was credited with an assist along with Pritchard on Gerard's 2nd goal in his last 2 games.

Late in the period, Trois-Rivières responded. Shawn St-Amant beat Nagle through the five-hole with 22 seconds remaining in the opening period to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Early in the 2nd period, Reading took back its two-goal lead. Jackson Cressey carried the puck along the boards before skating into the slot and sending a wrister top shelf past Poulin to give Reading a 3-1 lead. The Lions came roaring back late in the period, tying the game with two goals in 1:02. Anthony Nellis tapped in a loose puck in Nagle's crease to cut the deficit back to one before Peter Abbandonato ripped a one-timer past Nagle’s glove-side fed cross ice by Guillaume Beaudoin, tying the game, 3-3.

In the final period, Reading took the lead and didn’t look back. Low carried the puck into the slot and backhanded the puck, which squeaked through the pads of Poulin to give the Royals the lead, 4-3. 

Nagle saved the next eight shots he faced in the third period to solidify the 4-3 win, improving the Royals’ record to 3-1-1. 

The Royals stay up north for their next game as they take on Trois-Rivières for their second of the two-game series Saturday, Nov. 6th at 3:00 p.m. at Colisée de Trois-Rivières.

Reading Royals season, flex memberships and group tickets are available for the 2021-22 season by visiting the Royals’ box office at Santander Arena or by calling 610-898-7825.

About the RoyalsThe Reading Royals, proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, are entering their 20th season in the ECHL. They won their first Kelly Cup championship in 2013 and have clinched playoff berths in 10 of the previous 11 seasons. They are four-time division champions. The Berks County Convention Center Authority (BCCCA), founded in 1996, owns the Royals and oversees operations at Santander Arena.