Bajkov, Conley lead Royals over Thunder at home

The Reading Royals, proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, defeated the Adirondack Thunder, 4-3, Wednesday, Apr. 6 at Santander Arena. Royals goaltender Logan Flodell saved 25 of 28 shots while Thunder goalie Alex Sakellaropoulos saved 24 of 28 shots.

BOX SCORE

Reading struck first minutes into the opening period on Kevin Conley’s first professional goal in his professional debut. Patrick McNally hit Jacob Pritchard on a blue-line to blue-line pass that began a rush for the Royals in the offensive zone. Pritchard centered the puck to Thomas Ebbing who gave a backhand feed to Conley crashing in on Adirondack’s net. The rookie delivered a one-timer past Sakellaropoulos to put Reading on the board early, 1-0.  

The Royals extended their lead to three with goals from Patrick Bajkov and Mason Millman. Bajkov scored first of two goals in the game with a wrist shot snapped top shelf off of a face off win by Trevor Gooch. Brayden Low and Conley earned the helpers on Millman’s seventh goal of the season with a crisp set of passing that the rookie defenseman finished off on a shot that beat Sakellaropoulos low glove side. 

Adirondack responded back with a pair of goals to cut the deficit to one goal. Shane Harper scored on a shorthanded breakaway on Reading’s second power play of the game and Luke Stevens tapped in a puck that trickled out of a scrum in Flodell’s crease to make it a one-goal game a minute into the third period, 3-2.

8:14 into the final period of regulation, Patrick Bajkov put Reading back ahead by two goals. Bajkov scored his second goal of the game on the power play for his fifth multi-goal game of the season.

The Thunder pulled their netminder with four minutes remaining in regulation and scored with the extra attacker on for Grasso’s team leading 24th goal of the season. The Royals defense held Adirodack to one final shot on net in the final 2:04 to improve Reading’s point streak to five games. The magic number to clinch the North Divisional title is at eleven with six games remaining in Reading’s regular season.

The Royals host the Maine Mariners Friday, Apr. 8, at 7:00 p.m. at Santander Arena. 

UPCOMING GAMES

PRINCESSES & PIRATES/STAR WARS - 4/06/22

• Happy Hour 6-7PM (1/2 off domestic beer)

• Meet Star Wars characters

• 4 for $48 - 4 tickets, 4 burgers, 4 sodas

• Flyers Friday presented by Deibler Dental - Danny Briere

WALL OF HONOR NIGHT - 4/9/22

• Wall of Honor Ceremony presented by V&M Towing

• Team photo giveaway

NICKELODEON/PUCKS AND PAWS NIGHT - 4/10/22

• $1 Popcorn/$1 Nachos/$1 Hot Dogs

• Specialty jersey

• Pucks and Paws Wiener Dog Race

• Bring your dog to the rink!

• Salute to Essential Workers Sundays presented by Visions Federal Credit Union (Financial Services/Banking/etc.)

• Post-Game Skate presented by T-Mobile

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.