A late-game collapse cost the Reading Royals on Wednesday night.
Leading two two goals in the third period, Reading allowed Norfolk to score three times in the final 15 minutes, including Chase Lang’s game-winning goal 17 seconds into overtime, giving the Admirals the 4-3 win at Santander Arena.
“We lost that sense of directness,” Royals assistant coach James Henry said. “(We held) onto the puck a little bit too long through the neutral zone.”
With Norfolk down 3-1, Admirals forward Blake Murray ignited the comeback with a goal less than seven minutes into the third period. Defenseman Sam Thibault scored from close range less than three minutes later to make it 3-3.
The Admirals began overtime with a strong offensive push, and Lang possessed the puck from center ice deep into the offensive zone. He fired a wrist shot from right of the net, beating goaltender Pat Nagle for the winner.
The Royals got off to a fast start, as forward Jacob Pritchard found the back of the net 56 seconds into the first period. Pritchard was able to navigate a scrum in front of the goal and put Reading ahead 1-0.
“We were pretty straightforward with our approach,” Henry said. “We didn’t try to overcomplicate things.”
The Royals extended their lead midway through the period, as forward Patrick Bajkov scored on a power play. Reading dominated the first period, outshooting Norfolk 12-6 and taking a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
“Our forwards did a great job of taking the puck directly to the net, forcing their defense into uncomfortable situations,” Henry said. “That led to the early success for us.”
Forward Alex Tonge got Norfolk on the board early in the second period. Tonge intercepted Nagle’s attempt to clear the puck and buried a shot into the net.
Defenseman Dominic Cormier scored the Royals’ third goal midway through the second during four-on-four play. Forward Josh Winquist found Cormier with a well-timed pass in front of the net, setting up the goal.
Reading was perfect on the penalty kill, but just 1-for-5 on the power play. Bajkov scored on the Royals’ first power play, but they came up empty on the man-advantage the rest of the way.
“We have to put ourselves in the right situations,” Henry said about his team’s power play. “We got a little complacent with scoring that first one right away.”
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November 11, 2021 at 11:14AM
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Reading Royals allow three unanswered goals, lose to Norfolk in overtime - Reading Eagle
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