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Reading Royals fall to Newfoundland in overtime of Game 2 of ECHL North Division finals

A penalty in overtime proved costly for the Reading Royals on Sunday.

Newfoundland scored six seconds into its lone power play of overtime, as forward Zach Solow had the game-winner to lift the Growlers to a 5-4 win over Reading in Game 2 of the ECHL North Division finals at Santander Arena and to a 2-0 series lead.

“We lost the faceoff,” Royals coach James Henry said. “They beat us to that loose puck. I guess there’s a couple things we could have improved on in that situation.”

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Reading controlled possession for the majority of overtime, but could not find the back of the net. The two teams each had nine shots in the extra period.

“We had multiple chances in the overtime where we definitely could have scored,” Henry said. “We had the opportunities where we could have won the game, just not in overtime.”

The Royals finished just 3-for-5 on the penalty kill and 1-for-5 on the power play. Newfoundland goaltender Dryden McKay was sharp, recording 31 saves.

The loss was Reading’s 11th straight in an overtime playoff game. After entering the North Division finals 3-0 at home in the Kelly Cup playoffs, the Royals have dropped their last two games at Santander Arena.

“There’s no quit in this room,” Reading forward Yvan Mongo said. “We’re still really confident about the way we play.”

The Royals opened the scoring early in the first period when defenseman Mason Millman scored from just inside the blue line. Forwards Evan Barratt and Devon Paliani had the assists.

Barratt made it 2-0 midway through the first period on a power-play goal. Defenseman Garrett McFadden and forward Charlie Gerard were credited with the assists.

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Newfoundland responded with two goals in the span of two minutes late in the first period. Forward Pavel Gogolev scored on the power play before forward Nolan Walker scored to tie it 2-2.

The Growlers took a 3-2 lead early in the second period with a goal from defenseman Mikko Kokkonen. Walker had the assist.

The Royals tied it 3-3 late in the third period on Barratt’s second goal of the game. Forward Jacob Gaucher was credited with the assist.

Reading took the lead early in the third period on a goal from forward Devon Paliani, who beat McKay with a quick shot. Mongo had the assist.

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Newfoundland tied it 4-4 midway through the period, scoring during four-on-four play. Kokkonen had the goal, his second of the game.

The two teams will face off in Game 3 on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Santander Arena. Newfoundland is scheduled to host the final four games of the series, if necessary.

“It’s not even close to being over,” Henry said. “I have faith in the group, and the group has faith in each other.”


Source: Berkshire mont

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