The Reading Royals, proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, fell to the Adirondack Thunder, 5-2, Sunday, Mar. 20 at Santander Arena. Royals goaltender Hayden Hawkey saved 16 of 20 shots while Thunder goalie Alex Sakellaropoulos saved 30 of 32 shots.
Reading scored the game's opening goal late into the first period on a milestone goal for Thomas Ebbing. Garrett Cecere passed the puck to Ebbing positioned at the right side of Adirondack’s net as he snapped a one-timer past Sakellaropoulos for his 100th ECHL career point.
The Thunder answered back with their first goal of the game in the final minute of the first period. Shane Harper’s first of two goals in the game was the final product of a crisp pass from the top of the Royals’ zone down to the right post where Harper crashed in on net and lifted the puck past Hawkey, Luke Stevens’ tape-to-tape feed to Harper tied the score heading into the second period, 1-1.
Similar to the first, both teams scored a goal for a tie score after two periods, 2-2. Jacob Pritchard’s 16th goal of the season followed Nick Rivera’s shorthanded goal off of a forced turnover by Sebastian Vidmar in Reading’s zone to stand as the lone goals in the middle frame.
Adirondack took a commanding lead to secure the series win in the third period. Harper scored the game winning goal as well as his second goal of the game 29 seconds into the final period of regulation for his 18th of the season. Matt Baker’s first goal of the season extended the Thunder lead to two before Patrick Grasso sealed the game with an empty net goal snapped through the legs of Garret Cockerill skating back on defense for his team leading 22nd goal of the season.
The Royals host the Worcester Railers Tuesday, Mar. 22nd, at 7:00 p.m. at Santander Arena.
UPCOMING GAMES
MENTAL HEALTH/RECOVERY NIGHT - 3/25/22
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A portion of ticket sales will benefit organizations that support mental health
AUTISM ACCEPTANCE NIGHT - 3/26/22
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Presented by Members 1st Federal Credit Union
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Philipp Grubauer bobblehead giveaway presented by Savage Auto Group
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Barbers on the concourse
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Specialty jersey
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Slapshot's birthday/Mascot Madness
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Post-Game Party presented by DoubleTree by Hilton Reading
BATTLE OF THE BADGES - 3/27/22
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Badges Game - 11:30 a.m.
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First Responders Night
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Faith and Family Night
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$1 Popcorn/$1 Nachos/$1 Hot Dogs
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Team trading cards giveaway
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Specialty jersey
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Salute to Essential Workers Sundays presented by Visions Federal Credit Union (First Responders)
Buy tickets HERE: www.royalshockey.com/promotions
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 Royals
The 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.