
Royals Score Four Unanswered, Beat Adirondack, 5-4
December 29, 2021 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release
The Reading Royals, proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, defeated the Adirondack Thunder, 5-4, Wednesday, Dec. 29 at Santander Arena. Royals goaltender Hayden Hawkey saved 29 of 33 shots, while Thunder goalie Alex Sakellaropoulos saved 24 of 29.
The Royals got on the board first one minute into the game. Cam Strong deflected the puck past Sakellaropoulos after Ryan MacKinnon wound up and sent a slapshot on net from the point. The Thunder took the lead around a minute later. Robbie Payne tapped in a loose puck in the blue paint seconds after the Royals took the lead before Colin Long's wrist shot went over the glove of Hawkey.
The Royals responded back with two goals of their own later into the opening period. Dominic Cormier's top-shelf power play goal tied the game at two before Mike Crocock's first ECHL goal gave Reading the lead, 3-2.
5:55 into the second period, Reading added some cushion to its lead. On the power play, Patrick Bajkov put a wrist shot on net which was batted off of Sakellaropoulos' shoulder for Trevor Gooch. Gooch was positioned in front of Adirondack's net to bat the fluttering puck into the cage out of mid-air.
Minutes later, Brayden Low scored on a breakaway and beat Sakellaropoulos with a backhand shot. Cam Strong was credited with the shorthanded assist after connecting with Low in stride to give Reading a 5-2 lead.
The Thunder brought the game back within a goal, but fell short of the comeback. Payne and Blake Thompson both scored to cut the deficit down to one, but Hawkey denied the final nine shots he faced to seal the victory for the Royals.
The Royals host the Worcester Railers for a Friday afternoon matchup on Dec. 31st at 3:00 p.m.at Santander Arena.
UPCOMING GAMES
Wednesday, Dec. 29 vs. Adirondack (7:00 p.m.) - It's 610 Night at the Royals! Enjoy $1 PBR Drafts and $6.10 green zone tickets. The first 1,000 fans receive an ornament giveaway!
Friday, Dec. 31 vs. Worcester (3:00 p.m.) - Celebrate New Year's Eve with the Royals! The first 1,000 fans receive a free champagne glass giveaway as well as $1 Sparkling Cider drinks! Kids get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket! Enjoy a Postgame Skate presented by T-Mobile.
Buy tickets HERE: www.royalshockey.com/promotions
Reading Royals season, flex memberships and group tickets are available for the 2021-22 season by visiting the Royals' box office at Santander Arena or by calling 610-898-7825.
ECHL Stories from December 29, 2021
- Johnson Scores Twice in Loss to Allen - Wichita Thunder
- Early Oilers Lead Too Much for Landers - Iowa Heartlanders
- Admirals Win Shootout Thriller, Snap Losing Streak - Norfolk Admirals
- Stingrays Fall to Icemen on the Road - South Carolina Stingrays
- Cyclones Hop over Swamp Rabbits in Front of 8,000+ - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Sadowy Tallies Hat Trick as Oilers Overpower Heartlanders - Tulsa Oilers
- Cyclones Speed Past Swamp Rabbits on Wednesday Night - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Pendenza Scores Twice in Loss to Orlando - Florida Everblades
- Royals Score Four Unanswered, Beat Adirondack, 5-4 - Reading Royals
- Indy Falls to Norfolk in Shootout - Indy Fuel
- Ethan Prow Becomes 66th Former Nailer to Reach NHL - Wheeling Nailers
- Kile Scores Four in Season Debut as Mariners Win Wild One - Maine Mariners
- Mariners Outlast Railers in Offensive Battle - Worcester Railers HC
- Four Everblades Recalled, Two New Players Signed - Florida Everblades
- Steelheads Sign Forward Nick DeVito - Idaho Steelheads
- ECHL Transactions - December 29 - ECHL
- Crinella Loaned to AHL Springfield; Buitenhuis to Bakersfield - Wichita Thunder
- Game Preview: Solar Bears at Everblades: December 29, 2021 - Orlando Solar Bears
- Game Day Preview: Allen at Wichita, 7:05 PM - Allen Americans
- Royals Sign Goaltender Cote-Cazenave to SPC - Reading Royals
- Luchuk, Brodzinski Loaned to Hartford Wolf Pack - Orlando Solar Bears
- Royals Return Home for First Time in over One Month vs. Adirondack - Reading Royals
- Icemen Announce Game Schedule Changes & Make-Up Date - Jacksonville Icemen
- Schedule Changes Announced - Atlanta Gladiators
- Grizzlies Gameday: Second Game of Rapid City Series - Utah Grizzlies
- Game Preview: Stingrays at Icemen, December 29, 2021 - Jacksonville Icemen
- ECHL, Thunder Announce Make-Up Dates for Three Postponed Home Games - Adirondack Thunder
- Game Notes: vs Utah - Rapid City Rush
- Eric Wellwood Named ECHL All-Star Coach - Newfoundland Growlers
- Dan Watson Named Coach for ECHL All-Star Classic - Toledo Walleye
- Newfoundland's Wellwood, Toledo's Watson Named Coaches for 2022 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic - ECHL
- Grizz Sign Stewart, Metcalf Loaned to Lehigh Valley - Utah Grizzlies
- Icemen Agree to Terms with Forward Bauer Neudecker - Jacksonville Icemen
- Glads Bring in Murdaca - Atlanta Gladiators
- Game Preview: Everblades to Host Solar Bears Tonight - Florida Everblades
- South Carolina Inks Goaltender Flodell - South Carolina Stingrays
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Reading Royals Stories
- Royals Release 2025-26 Regular Season Schedule
- Junior Royals Announce Rosters for 2025-26 DVHL Season
- Jr. Royals Squirts & PeeWees Combine for 10-5-1 Record & 72 Goals in DVHL Placement Tournament
- Save the Date Royals 2025-26 Home Opener Is November 8
- Royals in the Community: 2024-25 Season Highlights

