ECHL Game Recap: Reading Royals vs Adirondack Thunder | 12/20/2025

The Adirondack Thunder got some much-needed help after picking up just one of four points in their two games in Reading, as Patrick Grasso made his season debut and Shane Harper returned to the Thunder lineup. It wouldn’t be the start Adirondack wanted as Conner Hutchison blew a tire and allowing Hunter Johannes to walk in and net his sixth of the season, extending his point streak to seven games. Turnovers were aplenty early in the period, but luckily, it wouldn’t sink them early on in the game. Adirondack would tie the game up late in the period as Luke Reid fired a shot from the point, and T.J. Friedmann got credit for the goal. For Friedmann, he now has goals in each of his last three games. Brian Carrabes was awarded a penalty shot at the 17:15 mark but was denied by Keith Petruzzelli.

“I don’t think I tipped it. We were talking about it on the bench and saying it’s Reiders goal, but they’ll go through it and figure it out”

T.J. Friedmann on his supposed goal

In the second. Both teams would get PP opportunities as each team took a too-many-men penalty. It was the Thunder that took advantage as Shane Harper fed Patrick Grasso, who cleaned up his own rebound to give Adirondack the lead in his first game back. Less than four minutes later, it was Kishaun Gervais who snuck a puck through the legs of Petruzzelli, giving the Thunder a 3-1 lead.

“It was a lot of fun, it felt like old times”

Patrick Grasso on playing with Shane Harper

The Thunder would begin the third period up two goals, but would give the Royals a lifeline. Grant Loven took a faceoff infraction penalty at 6:17, and six seconds later, Luke Reid fired a puck into the stands that unfortunately struck a fan. Carson Golder would take advantage of the five-on-three and net his 12th goal of the season. Golder finished the night with nine shots on goal. In five games against Adirondack this season, Golder has four goals and four assists for eight points. Matt Salhany put the nail in the coffin as he scored an empty-net goal with less than 25 seconds remaining. Jeremy Brodeur continued his strong month of December, improving to 4-0-1 this month. He now has eight wins on the season.

What’s Next For Adirondack

The Thunder will have a quick turnaround as they face the Norfolk Admirals on Sunday at 3 pm. Head Coach Sylvain Clouthier hinted that they might have some help from Utica for the game as well. Norfolk currently sits in the basement in the ECHL standings. They snapped a four-game losing skid on Saturday Night.