Lions score ten goals to snap Royals five-game win streak

The Reading Royals, proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, fell to the Trois-Rivières Lions, 10-4, Saturday, Feb. 12 at Santander Arena. Royals goaltender Hayden Lavinge saved 14 of 19 shots before Hayden Hawkey came in for relief and saved 16 of 20 shots, while Lions goalie Philippe Desrosiers saved 17 of 21 shots.

BOX SCORE

The Royals jumped out to an early lead on a pair of power play goals in the first period. Thomas Ebbing used his twig to deflect a shot from the blue line past Desrosiers’ extended blocker to open the scoring. William Leblanc scored his first of two goals for Trois-Rivières two minutes later. Skating around the Royals’ zone, Leblanc provided himself space in the slot to slide a shot between the pads of Lavigne. Anthony Gagnon put the Royals back ahead on the power play. A crisp set of passing between Patrick Bajkov, Garret Cokcerill and Gagnon set up the first year pro at the left face-off circle. Gagnon delivered a one-timer past Desrosiers’ extended right pad to lend the Royals an early lead, 2-1, after the first period.   

In the second period, Trois-Rivières made history. The Lions became the first team to score seven goals in a period this season and the 19th team to do so in ECHL history. Cedric Montminy, Brendan Hamelin, Nicolas Lariviere, Charles-David Beaudoin, Olivier Archambault, Jonathan Joannette and Leblanc contributed to the scoring margin. On Reading’s third man-up attack, the Lions scored three short-handed goals to extend their lead to three  and force Reading to change their net minder halfway into the period.

Jacob Pritchard tallied his first of two goals of the game amidst the Lions onslaught of offense in the middle frame. Pritchard put a wrist shot just under the crossbar to score on the fourth of six power play sequences for the Royals, sending the game into the final period of regulation with the Lions leading, 8-3.

Pritchard cut the deficit to four goals with a display of speed and strong puck control on a wrap-around shot that beat Desrosiers to the left post 9:25 into the third period. The Lions defense held Reading to just five shots in the period while adding two more goals in the final five minutes of play. The Lions’ hit double figures on Joanette and Lariviere’s second goals of the game. Trois-Rivières’ ten goals matches a best in the league this season.

The Royals host the Wheeling Nailers Saturday, Feb. 19th, at 4:00 p.m. at Santander Arena.UPCOMING GAMES

MARVEL SUPER HERO™ NIGHT - 2/19/22

• Iron Man specialty jersey

• Meet Iron Man

• $1 candy bag

• Poster giveaway

• Post-Game Party presented by DoubleTree by Hilton Reading

Buy tickets HERE: www.royalshockey.com/promotionsReading 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.