Big Second Half Rallies Copperheads Past Reading

November 3, 2012 | Huge third quarter lifts Charlotte to Victory    

by Samuel Perley

The Charlotte Copperheads welcomed the visiting Reading Rockets to the Bojangles’ Coliseum on Saturday for the second time this season and for the second time they sent the Rockets back to Pennsylvania with another loss as they notched a come-from behind 14-11 victory.  

Both teams were tied at three at the end of the first quarter before Reading pulled ahead in the second outscoring the Copperheads 6-2, to enter the break with a 9-5 lead. 

A big third quarter on both offense and defense for the Copperheads put control in their hands as Charlotte outscored visiting Reading 7-2 to enter the final period with a 12-11 lead.

Charlotte managed to tack on two more in the fourth and held the Rockets scoreless to secure the victory.

“I am so proud of our guys. We showed tremendous heart in the second half.  [Goaltender] Brad Conlon came off the bench and played the half of his life. Our captain Ryan Hotaling stepped up. Ethan Farrell got stitched up at half and lead the team with three [after halftime]. I have been apart of some great teams but this group is special. I love these guys,” said Copperheads’ coach Tom Ryan on the win. 

Copperheads goaltender Brad Conlon played a stellar second half by turning away 17 of 19 shots for the win. Rockets goalie Findley Wilson registered 44 saves on 58 Copperhead shots for Reading.

Leading the way for Charlotte was Ethan Farrell who tallied four goals for the home team. Matt Hickman, Kevin Iwanusa, Ryan Hotaling and Sam Bradman all notched a pair of goals while Greg Rogowski and Spencer Wims also scored for the host Copperheads.

Jesse Guerin registered  a hat trick to lead the way for the visiting Rockets. Linden Stevens, Rob Forster and Travis Bland each contributed a pair of goals. Brandon Muise and Dan Decklebaum notched additional scores for the visitors.