Royals To Face Cincinnati in Conference Finals

Reading to Battle Cyclones for a Chance to Play for the Cup--Series Starts on Friday, May 3, in Reading

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, today announced that the team will face the Cincinnati Cyclones in the ECHL’s Eastern Conference Final best-of-seven playoff series starting Friday, May 3, 2013 (7:05 pm) at the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania. The third round series will pit the first seeded Royals against the second seeded Cyclones for the opportunity to play in the ECHL’s Kelly Cup Championship Finals. As with Game One of the series, Game Two (Sunday, May 5 @ 4:05 pm) will be played at the Sovereign Center. Games Three (Wednesday, May 8 @ 7:35 pm), Four (Friday, May 10 @ 7:35 pm) and Five, if necessary, (Saturday, May 11 @ 7:35 pm) will be played at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. The series will return to the Sovereign Center for Games Six (if necessary) and Seven (if necessary) on Monday, May 13 (7:05 pm) and Tuesday, May 14 (7:05 pm). The full schedule of the series is set out below. This marks the fourth time in the respective team histories of the Royals and Cyclones that they have met in the post-season. Cincinnati twice defeated Reading in Game Seven showdowns—in the 2008 North Division Finals and 2010 American Conference Finals—and both times proceeded to win the Kelly Cup. Reading got some revenge in the 2011 Eastern Conference Quarter-finals, a best-of-five first round series which the Royals took three games to one with two of Reading’s wins coming in double-overtime. This marks the third time in team history that the Royals have advanced to the Conference Finals. Reading is yet to advance to the league’s Kelly Cup Championship Finals. During the regular season, the Royals and Cyclones played three times—twice at the Sovereign Center and once at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati—with the Royals winning all three games. Ticket information for the ECHL’s Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Reading Royals and the Cincinnati Cyclones can be obtained by calling the Royals office (610-898-PUCK) or by logging onto the Royals website: www.royalshockey.com. EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS(1) Reading Royals v (2) Cincinnati Cyclones Game One: Friday, May 3 (7:05 pm) at Sovereign Center, Reading, PAGame Two: Sunday, May 5 (4:05 pm) at Sovereign Center, Reading, PAGame Three: Wednesday, May 8 (7:35 pm) at U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OHGame Four: Friday, May 10 (7:35 pm) at U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OHGame Five (IF NECESSARY): Saturday, May 11 (7:35 pm) at U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OHGame Six (IF NECESSARY): Monday, May 13 (7:05 pm) at Sovereign Center, Reading, PAGame Seven (IF NECESSARY): Tuesday, May 14 (7:05 pm) at Sovereign Center, Reading, PA