Gerard Nets OT Winner, Fulcher Saves 29 To Take Series Finale Over Thunder

Glens Falls, NY - The Reading Royals (29-18-3-0), proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, defeated the Adirondack Thunder (19-23-7-1) in overtime, 2-1, on Saturday, February 25 at Cool Insuring Arena. Charlie Gerard scored his first overtime goal of his professional career to win the series finale and split the two-game series with Adirondack. Kaden Fulcher earned the win in goal with 29 saves on 30 shots faced for his third win in his last five starts (4-5-0). Jake Theut suffered the loss in net for Adirondack with 49 saves on 51 shots faced. 

BOX SCORE 

Reading broke the game’s scoreless tie with 5:38 remaining in the second period to take a one-goal lead into the third period, 1-0. Alec Butcher redirected a wrist shot from Will MacKinnon past Theut’s glove side for his 12th goal of the season. The sequence began off of an offensive zone face-off draw won by Sam Hu back to MacKinnon who shot the puck on goal from the blue line. Reading has scored first in 13 of their last 16 games.

After being held scoreless through the opening two periods, Adirondack evened the score 1:51 into the third period. Ryan Smith poke checked a puck away from Garrett McFadden up ice for Brandon Schultz who turned the forced turnover into a game tying goal. Schultz lasered a one-timer over Fulcher’s left shoulder for his eighth goal of the season and the final goal notched in regulation.

Fulcher and Theut put on a goaltending clinic in their respective nets. Theut saved a season high 47 shots through regulation while Fulcher made two highlight reel diving saves to rob Adirondack’s Travis Broughman and Colin Long of goals in the second and third periods.Theut turned aside 14 shots while Fulcher saved nine in the final 18:08 of regulation to force overtime for the second time in the season series. 

Gerard scored the overtime winner 2:31 into the extra frame on a back and forth connection with Max Newton. Gerard received a pass from Newton at the left face-off circle and beat Theut who was caught out of net and short of coming up with the game saving save.

The Royals registered all three shots in the overtime period and captured their second overtime win over the Thunder this season (2-0). Reading improved to a 7-2 record in the season series against the Thunder and a 45-27-7 record all-time. The Royals are 3-3 in overtime games and improved to a 24-12-3 record against divisional opponents (.654%).

The Royals return home on Friday, March 3 to host the Trois-Rivières Lions at 7:00 p.m. at Santander Arena. The home game features the Career Ready Berks Night promotional game. Order tickets and see the full ~ promotional schedule ~ now!

-Upcoming Games:

• Career Ready Berks Night - Mar. 3 vs. Trois-Rivières
  • Career Ready Berks Night Job Fair presented by Mitsubishi Chemical Group
  • Career Fair - Sign Up!
  • $2 off domestic drafts 6-7:00 PM
  • 4 for $60 deal including 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 drinks, and 4 pairs of thundersticks. Presented by Deibler Dental

• Autism Acceptance Night & Slapshot's Birthday - Mar. 4 vs. Trois-Rivières
  • Slapshot Saturdays: $2 off craft draft beers 6-7:00 PM
  • Slapshot Saturdays: pre-game photo on ice with Slapshot from 6:00-6:15 below section 109
  • Slapshot's birthday party with visiting friends!
  • Sensory room
  • Scout Night

• Nickelodeon's Blues Clues Night - Mar. 5 vs. Trois-Rivières
  • Specialty jersey
  • $1.00 kid ticket with purchase of adult ticket (box office only)
  • $1.00 hot dogs, popcorn, chips at select locations
  • Post-game skate
  • Post-game party at Cheers American Bistro at the DoubleTree

2022-23 & 2023-24 Season Memberships

Reading Royals season tickets, flex memberships and group tickets are available for the 2022-23 & now 2023-24 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 in their 21st season in the ECHL. They won their first Kelly Cup championship in 2013 and have clinched playoff berths in 11 of the previous 12 seasons. They are five-time division champions and were the 2021-22 Eastern Conference champion. The Berks County Convention Center Authority (BCCCA), founded in 1996, owns the Royals and oversees operations at Santander Arena.