Norfolk, VA.— Norfolk pulled within one early in the second period, however the Royals scored five unanswered goals, topping the Admirals 7-1 on Friday night.
Brodie Dupont moved into a tie for third in the ECHL in scoring with a second period tally in front of the Admirals largest crowd of the season (5,020).
Reading netted a pair of goals in the opening frame, taking a 2-0 lead into the intermission. Skating behind the net Michael Huntebrinker sent a behind the back pass to Derek Whitmore, who quickly snapped off a shot that found the top right corner. Five minutes later Reading’s Matt Willows extended his point streak to eight-games with his 15th goal of the season. After a two-on-one for the Admirals turned no results the Royals stepped into the zone on a three-on-two. Willows took a pass from Chris McCarthy and gave the Royals a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.
The Admirals drew within one goal at the start of the second period. Brodie Dupont cut towards the center of the ice wristing a shot low to the blocker side, beating Mark Dekanich. Norfolk trailed 2-1 just 1:11 into the second period. Approaching the midway point of regulation the Royals ticked off three goals in a 4:47 span to push the lead to 5-1. Recently reassigned from Lehigh Valley, Chris McCarthy sandwiched a pair of goals around Adam Schmidt’s ninth of the season, to give the Royals a 5-1 lead after forty minutes of play. Ty Reichenbach was pulled after the Royals fifth goal, surrendering five goals on 30 shots in the loss.
Reading would add another two goals in the third period, pushing the lead to 7-1 before the final horn sounded. After all was said and done the Royals ended the night with three different players scoring a pair of goals.
Jamie Murray, appearing in relief, allowed two goals on 17 shots.
Norfolk and Reading will meet again on Saturday night at 7:00pm at the Scope, wrapping up a weekend series.
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