Gratton Scores Twice, Royals Edge Out Nailers, 5-4
April 6, 2025 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release
Reading, PA - The Reading Royals (31-26-9-2), proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, defeated the Wheeling Nailers (40-24-3-1), 5-4, at WesBanco Arena on Saturday, April 5th.
Goaltender Keith Petruzzelli (12-16-4-0) earned the win in goal with 25 saves on 29 shots faced while Nailers' goaltender Thomas Gale (1-1-0-0) suffered the loss in goal with 30 saves on 35 shots faced.
Reading and Wheeling exchanged goals in the opening 1:12 with Robert Calisit (7) scoring the game-opening goal for the Royals 57 seconds into the game, followed by David Jankowski (11) tying the score for the Nailers at 1:12. Mitch Deelstra (2) and Tyler Gratton (18) scored at 7:01 into the first period and 6:10 into the middle frame to give Reading a two-goal lead, 3-1.
Logan Pietila (9) brought Wheeling within one-goal entering the third period, 3-2. Reading edged out the Nailers with two goals in the final frame from Zach Faremouth (1) at 2:03 and Gratton (19) at 12:32 despite allowing goals to Wheeling's Matthew Quercia (18) and Gabe Klassen (18) at 10:30 and 18:14, respectively.
David Jankowski (10) put Wheeling ahead for good with his second of four points in the game at 14:35 of the second period. Logan Pietila (8) and Klassen (17) goals at 13:53 and 16:19, respectively, sealed the series opener win for the Nailers.
With the win, the Royals improved 2-1-0 in their five-game road-trip and have registered a point in 16 of their last 20 (13-4-2-1), as well as 28 of their 37 games since Jan. 1st, 2025 (21-9-5-2).
The Royals continue a five-game road-trip with a face-off against the Nailers on Sunday, April 6th at 4:10 PM at Wesbanco Arena. The road-trip concludes on Wednesday, April 9th against Norfolk at Norfolk Scope Arena at 7:05 PM.
The Royals return home for the final two games of the regular season against Worcester on Friday, April 11th and Saturday, April 12th at 7 PM at Santander Arena.
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