Royals Rout Thunder in Pink in the Rink Game, 6-1

Reading, PA - The Reading Royals (26-13-2-0), proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, defeated the Adirondack Thunder (15-20-5-1), 6-1, on Saturday, February 4 at Santander Arena. Jacob Gaucher’s third multi-goal game of the season led the Royals to their 14th win at home this season (14-6). Kaden Fulcher earned his second win of the season with 20 saves on 21 shots faced (2-3) while Jake Theut suffered the loss in net for Adirondack with four goals allowed on 13 shots faced through 25 minutes of play (10-11-2-1). Isaac Poulter stopped 15 of 17 shots faced after coming in relief for Theut five minutes into the second period. 

BOX SCORE 

Reading scored the game’s opening goal for a seventh-straight game to take an early lead over the Thunder 9:09 into regulation. Charlie Gerard finished off an odd-man rush led by Max Newton with a one-timer over the left shoulder of Theut. Newton earned his first of two points in the game with the primary assist on Gerard’s 19th goal of the season. 

The Royals tacked onto their lead with their sixth shorthanded goal of the season. Jacob Gaucher raced down the right wing in Adirondack’s zone and snapped a shot on goal as defenseman Matt Stief slashed down on the forward’s stick. The puck redirected onto the ice and trickled through Theut’s pads for Gaucher’s 12th goal of the season. The Royals have scored shorthanded goals in two of their last four games (Brendan Hoffmann vs. Worcester, 1/27/23).

Adirondack cut the deficit in half with three minutes remaining in the first period on Shawn Weller’s second power play goal in the series. On a wrist shot from the blue line, Weller tapped the puck past Fulcher glove side to put the Thunder on the board, 2-1.

The Royals jolted out to a 4-1 lead with two goals scored in the opening 5:13 of the second period. Gaucher dragged a puck around Theut’s split save attempt for his second goal of the game three minutes before Yvan Mongo snapped a shot over the right shoulder of the netminder for the rookie forward’s fourth goal of the season.

Reading replicated a two-goal second period in the final frame of play on Newton’s team leading 21st goal of the season and Colin Felix’s fourth goal. Newton lasered a shot between the crossbar and Poulter’s right shoulder 9:29 into the third period to earn his team leading 13th multi-point game of the season. Felix scored on a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle that banked off of the post and into the back of the net. Tyler Kirkup and Will MacKinnon earned the helpers on Felix’s first goal since November 23, 2022 which came against the Thunder on Reading’s home ice, as well. The rookie defenseman improved his professional career-high point streak to six-games (1 G, 5 A) with the final goal of the contest.

The Royals captured their seventh consecutive win over the Thunder at Santander Arena and improved their season series record to 6-1 against Adirondack this season (44-26-7 all-time). The Royals are 19-6-2 when scoring the game’s opening goal and hold a 21-7-2 record against divisional opponents (.733%).

The Royals host the Worcester Railers in their next game on Tuesday, February 7 at 10:30 a.m. at Santander Arena. The morning game features the Education Day promotional game. Order tickets and see the full ~ promotional schedule ~ now!-Upcoming Games:

• Education Day - Feb. 7 vs. Worcester
  • Special 10:30 a.m. morning game presented by Customers Bank
  • Educational learning packet provided
  • In-game entertainment tailored to students
  • Career Fair
  • Bus parking provided
  • Contact info@royalshockey.com to sign your classroom up today

• Ant-Man + The Wasp Night - Feb. 18 vs. Newfoundland
  • Join the Royals as they team up with Marvel's Ant-Man
  • Ice Angels poster giveaway
  • Specialty jerseys, available in online auction
  • Ant-Man character appearance
  • Slapshot Saturdays: $2 off craft draft beers from 3-4:00 PM
  • Slapshot Saturdays: pre-game photo on ice with Slapshot from 6:00-6:15 below section 109

• Presidents Day - Feb. 20 vs. Newfoundland
  • Specialty 1:00 p.m. afternoon game
  • FREE admission for kids ages 14 and under

2022-23 Season Memberships

Reading Royals season tickets, flex memberships and group tickets are available for the 2022-23 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.