One day after scoring seven goals, Reading’s offense fell quiet on Sunday night.
The Royals were held to just one goal by Newfoundland, which relied on stout special teams play to earn a 4-1 win in Game 2 of the ECHL North Division finals at Santander Arena and even the series 1-1.
“The effort wasn’t good enough,” Reading coach Kirk MacDonald. “We just weren’t moving our feet.”
The Royals, who won 7-3 in Game 1, were unable to generate offense through their special teams, going 0-for-4 on the power play. Reading did not capitalize on a five-on-three power play early in the game, which set the tone for the remainder of the first period.
“(We) didn’t really generate a whole lot,” MacDonald said about his team’s power play. “We were set up really casually I thought (with) no assertiveness.”
The Royals also struggled on the penalty kill, going 1-for-3. Reading allowed Newfoundland to score two power-play goals, its first of the series.
“We just made some bad reads and they capitalized on both of them,” MacDonald said. “We didn’t do a good enough job on special teams tonight.”
The Growlers relied on their special teams to take control early, as defenseman Ben Finkelstein scored a power-play goal midway through the first period to make it 1-0. The Growlers dominated the first 20 minutes, outshooting the Royals 15-7.
“They came out really good in the first,” MacDonald said. “They were buzzing; we were standing still watching.”
Newfoundland extended its lead just over one minute into the second period when forward Zach O’Brien made it 2-0. The offensive surge continued following O’Brien’s goal, as forward Tyler Boland scored on a power play less than four minutes later to give the Growlers a 3-0 lead.
“They’re a skilled group, and if we’re passive, they’re going to make plays,” MacDonald said. “We made it easy on them.”
Reading trailed 3-0 until early in the third period when forward Kevin Conley scored to prevent the shutout. A rookie, Conley has two goals and one assist through the first two games of the series.
Despite the goal, the Royals were unable to garner any momentum, as Newfoundland remained sturdy on defense. The Growlers sealed it with an empty-net goal from forward Derian Plouffe with 30 seconds remaining.
Newfoundland outshot Reading 36-27. Royals goaltender Pat Nagle made 32 saves, while Growlers goalie Keith Petruzzelli recorded 26.
The series shifts to Newfoundland, which will host Game 3, Game 4 and Game 5. Game 3 is set for Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
“The games are going to be tight,” MacDonald said. “(We need to) get up there and get back to work.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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