Royals Blank Thunder in Game Two of Kelly Cup Finals, 4-0

Reading Holds Home Ice in First Two Games of Finals with Fifth Shutout of Playoff Season

Reading, PA– The Reading Royals of the ECHL, affiliate of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, defeated the Stockton Thunder, 4-0, in Game Two of the best-of-seven Kelly Cup Championship Final match-up between the Royals and Thunder at the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania. The Royals won the first two games of the Finals on home ice and now head to Stockton for Game Three on Tuesday (May 21) at 10:00 pm eastern time. For the twelfth time in eighteen games played the post-season, the Royals scored first (11-1-0) and proceeded to build a three goal first period lead, while holding off the Thunder to record the team’s fifth shutout of the playoff season. It was the third shutout of the post-season for goaltender Riley Gill (win, 11-2-1, 27/27), and his sixth shutout in twenty-eight appearances for Reading since joining the team on February 28, 2013. The Royals struck first 8:32 into the first off the rush, when Ethan Cox sprang Evan Barlow through the left circle. Barlow found Alex Berry coming down the middle for a re-direct to extend his personal point streak to seven games with his seventh game of the playoff season. The Royals stretched the lead to 2-0 after a long sequence of offensive zone puck possession. Brett Flemming kept a clearing attempt by the Thunder at the right point and drilled a low, hot bullet that beat Olivier Roy (loss, 12-6-2, 23/27, 40:00) for his fourth of the playoff season. Reading broke through on the power play with 1:37 left in the first. Joel Champagne was the beneficiary of a turnover by the Thunder in the mid-slot. Champagne fed Brock Shelgren in the left circle; and Shelgren in turn slipped a cross crease pass to T.J. Syner who redirected it home for his seventh of the playoff season. Reading took a four-nothing lead 15:11 into the second period just as a power play chance ended when Evan Barlow fired from deep in the right corner along the goal-line. The puck hit the stick of Roy and angled into the net for Barlow’s sixth of the playoff season. Stockton substituted goaltender Tyler Bunz (no decision, 7/7, 20:00) for Roy in what proved to be a scoreless third period as the Royals were able seal off defensively and record the win. The Royals and Thunder play Game Three of the best-of-seven Kelly Cup Championship Finals on Tuesday (May 21 @ 10:00 pm eastern time) at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California. Tuesday’s game night broadcast on CBS Sports Radio 1240 am and 98.5 fm will kick off with the pre-game warm-up show presented by Steve Moyer Subaru at 9:30 pm eastern time. As with all Royals road games, Tuesday’s game will be televised locally in Berks County, Pennsylvania, on BCTV courtesy of Boscov’s Travel and Apple Vacations. Ticket information for the ECHL’s Kelly Cup Championship Finals matchup between the Reading Royals and the Stockton Thunder can be obtained by calling the Royals office (610-898-PUCK) or by logging onto the Royals website: www.royalshockey.com. KELLY CUP CHAMPIONSHIP FINALSReading Royals v Stockton Thunder READING LEADS SERIES TWO GAMES TO NONEGame One: Reading 6 – Stockton 5 OT (Sovereign Center, Reading PA)Game Two: Reading 4 – Stockton 0 (Sovereign Center, Reading, PA)Game Three: Tuesday, May 21 (10:00 pm et) at Stockton Arena, Stockton, CAGame Four: Friday, May 24 (10:30 pm et) at Stockton Arena, Stockton, CAGame Five (IF NECESSARY): Saturday, May 25 (10:30 pm et) at Stockton Arena, Stockton, CAGame Six (IF NECESSARY): Tuesday, May 28 (7:05 pm) at Sovereign Center, Reading, PAGame Seven (IF NECESSARY): Wednesday, May 29 (7:05 pm) at Sovereign Center, Reading, PA