On Saturday night at WesBanco Arena. The Reading Royals (17-9-1) lost their final game of 2022 against the Wheeling Nailers (14-14-1). The Royals are now 6-4 in their last ten games.
Seven minutes and one second into the first period. The Nailers took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Justin Addamo (12). Carter Johnson and Jack Van Boekel assisted his goal. Three minutes and forty seconds later. The Nailers made it 2-0 on a power play goal by Cédric Desruisseaux (11). Chris Ortiz and Cam Hausinger assisted his goal.
Two minutes and twenty seconds later. The Royals cut the Nailers’ lead to 2-1 on a goal by Jordan Timmons (2). Jacob Gaucher and Garrett McFadden assisted his goal. However, the Nailers would get the goal back two minutes and twenty-five seconds later by Adam Smith (5). Chris Ortiz and Gianluca Esteves assisted his goal.
Eleven seconds later, the Royals made it a one-goal game again by Trey Bradley (9) with assists from Will MacKinnon and Alec Butcher. The score was now 3-2 Nailers. Wheeling led 3-2 after one period.
Three minutes and five seconds into the second period. Charlie Gerard (8) tied the game 3-3. Twelve minutes and forty seconds later. The Royals took a 4-3 lead by Dominic Cormier (5) with assists from Trey Bradley and Tyler Kirkup.
A minute and twenty-three seconds later. The Royals extended their lead to 5-3 by Max Newton (14) with assists from Evan Barratt and Will MacKinnon. The Royals led 5-3 after two periods
Three minutes and thirty-one seconds into the third period. The Nailers cut the Royals’ lead to 5-4 on a goal by Peter Laviolette (1). Tyler Drevitch and Cam Hausinger assisted his goal. Eight minutes and twenty seconds later. Brooklyn Kalmikov (7) tied the game 5-5 with assists from Chris Ortiz and Cédric Desruisseaux. Finally, the Nailers took a 6-5 lead five minutes and twenty-six seconds later by Justin Addamo (13) with assists from Gianluca Esteves and Adam Smith. The Royals lost the Nailers 6-5 to close out 2022.
The Royals finished the night with 30 shots, 0/3 on the power play, and Kaden Fulcher made 28 saves. On the other side, the Nailers had 34 shots, 2/3 on the power play, and goalies Tommy Nappier made eight saves, while Bailey Brkin had 17 saves.
The Royals continue their road trip at the Norfolk Admirals on Wednesday at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased on StubHub.
