The Reading Royals (0-2-1-1) made their 2023-24 home debut at the Santander Arena on Saturday night against the Trois-Rivières Lions (4-0).
After a scoreless first period, Reading took the a 1-0 at 5:18 in the second period by Yvan Mongo with assists from Austin Master and Joseph Nardi. At 9:31, Joseph Nardi extended the Royals lead to 2-0 with assists from Yvan Mongo and Austin Master.
Later in the second period, the Lions stormed back when Anthony Beauregard (14:48) and Justin Ducharme (17:28) scored goals which tied the game 2-2. Late in the second period, Ryan Chyzowski put the Royals back in the lead 3-2 at 17:37 with assists from Koletrane Wilson and Trevor Thurston. The Royals led 3-2 with one period to go. They had 24 shots on goal.
At 14:50 in the third period, the Lions tied the 3-3 on a goal by Noah Laaouan. Sixty minutes were not enough and the game went to overtime. The Royals had three shots on goal in overtime and the game went into a shootout.
Trois-Rivières Lions defenseman Miguël Tourigny scored in the shootout which gave the Lions a 4-3 win. The Royals had 35 shots on goal, committed four penalties, went 0 and 2 on the power play, and Nolan Maier made 45 saves on 48 shots.
The Royals and Lions go at it again on Sunday at 3 pm on FloHockey. Purchase Reading Royals tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
