Second-period offense favors Royals in Mariners loss
BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners
READING, PA – January 30, 2019 – A pair of Reading Royals second-period goals were enough for an eventual 3-1 win on Wednesday night at Santander Arena. John Furgele brought the Mariners within a goal in the 2nd, but they couldn’t get even and dropped their fourth straight.
After a scoreless opening frame, Reading defenseman Frank Hora pitched a rebound over Brandon Halverson for a 1-0 lead at 3:59 of the 2nd. It was Hora’s first goal of the season and just the second of his professional career. During 4-on-4 at 9:31, Chris McCarthy was able to poke a loose puck past Halverson, whose own stick attempt was unsuccessful. Moments after McCarthy’s goal, Derek Pratt ripped a shot past Royals goaltender Andrew D’Agostini and off the inside of the post. The goal light flickered but it was ruled no goal. The next stoppage, at 13:21, turned out to be a Mariners goal when John Furgele took a cross-ice pass from Dillan Fox and deked to the backhand to beat D’Agostini. Jason Salvaggio added a secondary assist. Reading led 2-1 after two.
The Mariners’ best scoring chance of the third came on a power play in the first half of the period. Ryan Culkin’s shot from the center point hit the goal post and then jumped the stick of Terrence Wallin, hoping to cash the rebound. Tyler Brown sealed the game with an empty netter at 19:29.
Halverson stopped 28 of 30 in the loss while D’Agostini improved to 5-0-1 in his Royals career with 22 saves on 23 Mariners shots.
The Mariners head back North to face Manchester on Friday in New Hampshire at 7 PM before returning home for a meeting with the Adirondack Thunder on Saturday, February 2nd. It’s “Women in Sports Night” presented by the Maine Sports Commission. The first 2,000 fans through the gate will also receive a Grocery Tote Bag, presented by Townsquare Media. Game time is 6:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at MarinersofMaine.com or by visiting or calling the Trusted Choice Box Office: 207-775-3458.
