In a clash of the top two teams in the ECHL’s North Division, Reading slowed — but could not stop — Newfoundland’s wildly efficient offense.
Despite limiting the Growlers to 25 shots, the Royals allowed four goals in the final two periods, including three in the second period, in a 5-3 loss on Sunday at Santander Arena.
“We played well,” Reading coach Kirk MacDonald said. “That’s a credit to Newfoundland (and) how good they are that they only need that many chances to execute.”
The win propelled the Growlers past the Royals and to the top of the division. Newfoundland has a .654 points percentage and 51 points, while Reading resides in second with a .634 points percentage and 52 points.
“I’d argue we’re the two best, if not two of the best three teams in the league right now,” MacDonald said. “We know it’s a battle every time we play them and I think both teams look forward to the matchups.”
Sunday’s game was the ninth and final regular season meeting between the two teams. Despite the loss, the Royals won the regular season series 5-4.
“We’re fighting for first place,” Reading forward Thomas Ebbing said. “Every time we play against Newfoundland, we know that they’re going to bring their best.”
The Growlers took the lead midway through the first period with a goal from defenseman Evan Neugold, who scored from close range. Forward Derian Plouffe and defenseman James Melindy were credited with assists.
The Royals took advantage of a five-on-three power play early in the second period to tie it, as forward Trevor Gooch received a pass from forward Patrick Bajkov and fired the puck into the net. Forward Frank DiChiara had the secondary assist.
Newfoundland quickly regained composure and punished Reading with three goals in less than six minutes to take a 4-1 lead. Despite being outshot 17-9 in the second period, the Growlers were aggressive in the offensive zone.
“They’re a really good team, so if you give them those clear-cut opportunities on a line rush, they’re probably going to go in,” MacDonald said about Newfoundland. “That’s lack of detail on our part.”
Neugold began the offensive onslaught midway through the second with his second goal of the game. The Growlers went on the power play less than three minutes later and capitalized, thanks to a diving, highlight-reel goal from defenseman Matteo Pietroniro.
Newfoundland added to its lead just minutes later, as forward Jeremy McKenna made it 4-1. McKenna finished with two goals.
Reading responded late in the second period, as Ebbing scored to cut the Growlers’ lead to two goals. Forward Jacob Pritchard and defenseman Mason Millman had the assists.
“His responsibility just leads to a lot of offense,” MacDonald said about Ebbing. “He does a great job generating offense.”
Ebbing has regained his offensive form after being reunited with linemates Pritchard and forward Kenny Hausinger. The reunion was in response to a trade, as the Royals reshuffled their lines after they sent forward Josh Winquist to the Allen Americans in exchange for future considerations on Saturday.
“Winquist is a great player in our league,” MacDonald said. “(It was) just a purely hockey trade that we think can help our team.”
The two sides played a largely even third period until Ebbing scored again with 1:27 remaining in the third. Defenseman Garrett McFadden and Pritchard were credited with the assists.
“McFadden made a nice play,” Ebbing said. “I just came down the left-hand side just trying to create any havoc possible.”
The goal gave Reading some momentum, but it was short-lived. The Growlers sealed it with an empty-net goal from McKenna with 43 seconds remaining.
“They want to beat us,” MacDonald said. “We got to understand that we’re going to probably get other team’s best efforts every night.”
Royals goaltender Hayden Hawkey made 20 saves. Reading outshot Newfoundland 40-25.
“It’s a great test,” MacDonald said about playing the Growlers. “We’ll learn from it, because hopefully this is a team we’re (going to be) playing (against) in the playoffs in a few months.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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