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  3. Cassaro Nets OT Game-Winner, Royals Prevail Over Admirals for 30th Win in Road-Trip Opener, 3-2

Cassaro Nets OT Game-Winner, Royals Prevail Over Admirals for 30th Win in Road-Trip Opener, 3-2

Thursday, April 3rd
Cassaro Nets OT Game-Winner, Royals Prevail Over Admirals for 30th Win in Road-Trip Opener, 3-2

Reading, PA - The Reading Royals (30-25-9-2), proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, defeated the Norfolk Admirals (37-23-5-1) in overtime, 3-2, at Norfolk Scope Arena on Wednesday, April 2nd.

Goaltender Vinnie Purpura (11-4-4-1) earned the overtime win in goal with 21 saves on 23 shots faced while Admirals’ rookie goaltender Ian Shane (0-0-1-0) suffered the overtime loss in his professional debut with 30 saves on 30 shots faced.

BOX SCORE

Jake Smith (14) gave Reading a 1-0 lead on a game-opening goal at 17:33 into the 1st period. After Bryce Brodzinski (22) evened the score for Norfolk 6:34 into the middle frame, Tyler Gratton (17) restored the Royals one-goal lead with a power play goal at 8:57 of the second period.

Denis Smirnov (18) tied the score for Norfolk with a power play goal 12:44 into the third period to force overtime. 4:15 into the extra frame, following a sprawling save by Purpura, Gianfranco Cassaro (13) beat Shane to secure Reading’s second overtime win of the season (2-9).

With the win, the Royals open the five-game road-trip 1-0-0-0 and have registered a point in 15 of their last 18 (12-3-2-1), as well as 27 of their 35 games since Jan. 1st, 2025 (20-8-5-2).

The Royals continue a five-game road-trip with a face-off against the Wheeling Nailers on Friday, April 4th and Saturday, April 5th at 7:10 PM, as well as Sunday, April 6th at 4:10 PM at Wesbanco Arena. The road-trip concludes on Wednesday, April 9th against Norfolk at Norfolk Scope Arena at 7:05 PM.

The Royals return home for the final two games of the regular season against Worcester on Friday, April 11th and Saturday, April 12th at 7 PM at Santander Arena.

For tickets to the home games, visit: Single Game Tickets

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2024-25 Season Memberships

Royals365 Season Memberships, six-game plans, ten-game plans, and group tickets are available for the 2024-25 season now 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 23rd season in the ECHL. They won their first Kelly Cup championship in 2013 and have clinched playoff berths in 12 of the previous 14 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.