North Division Semifinals Game 3 Preview: Manchester at Reading

Monarchs lead best-of-seven series, 2-0   

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals (0-0-2 postseason) host their first contest of the playoffs against the Manchester Monarchs (2-0-0 postseason) in Game 3 of the North Division Semifinals Monday at 7:00 p.m. from Santander Arena. Tickets are available here.

The teams have played 10 periods through the first two games and Manchester has won both games in double overtime. John Muse combined for 107 saves in the first two games. Muse blocked 53 in Game 2, the second-most he’s had in a game during his career. In Game 1, Muse made a professional-best 54 saves. The save totals rank as the top-two postseason save performances in Royals history. Charles Williams has denied 81 in two games (4 GA) for Manchester.

Monday starts a stretch of three playoff home games in four days. Game 4 is Wed., Apr. 18 at 7:00 p.m. and Game 5 is Thurs., Apr. 19 (if necessary) at 7:00 p.m.

The Reading Royals will continue to collect donations and raise money for those affected by the Humboldt Broncos’ tragedy for Reading’s first two home playoff games Mon., Apr. 16 and Wed., Apr. 18 at 7:00 p.m. Proceeds from tickets purchased at this link or by calling 610-898-7825 will go to the families and others affected. The Royals are also wearing  “HUMBOLDT” helmet stickers to send condolences to those affected.

The Royals are offering 5 playoff vouchers starting at $85. Use the five vouchers at any home playoff games. The team is also providing curbside ticket service; call 610-898-7825 and a Royals ticket staff member will provide you with your tickets outside the Lion’s Den Team Store at the corner of 8th Ave. and Penn St.

Season ticket holders can purchase additional tickets for $10 by calling 610-898-7825.

Series Schedule: Monarchs lead best-of-seven series, 2-0Game 1 at Manchester: Monarchs 3, Royals 2 (2 OT).Game 2 at Manchester: Monarchs 3, Royals 2 (2 OT)Game 3 vs. Manchester: Mon, Apr. 16, 7:00 p.m., Santander ArenaGame 4 vs. Manchester: Wed, Apr. 18, 7:00 p.m., Santander ArenaGame 5 vs. Manchester (if necessary): Thu, Apr. 19, 7:00 p.m., Santander ArenaGame 6 at Manchester (if necessary): Sat, Apr. 21, 3:00 p.m.Game 7 at Manchester (if necessary): Tue, Apr. 24, 7:00 p.m.

Game 3 historyThe Royals are 13-9-2 all time in game 3 of a series, with wins in two of the last three. In the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs, the Royals won game 3 in both series.

Reading is looking to overcome its first 2-0 series deficit. The Royals dropped the first two games in a series twice and it last happened in the 2011 Kelly Cup Playoffs’ second round vs. Kalamazoo.

When Manchester wins the first two games of a series, the club is 1-1 in series. The last time Manchester led a series, 2-0, the South Carolina Stingrays stormed back to win the Eastern Conference Finals in seven games.

Assessing the numbersThrough the first two series contests, the Royals and Monarchs have played roughly 192 minutes, equivalent of three regulation games and 12 minutes into the fourth.

The teams have combined for 198 shots and ten have found twine (.949 save percentage). Reading has scored the first goal in both games.

Charles Williams faced 85 shots and saved 81 (.953 save percentage). John Muse has back-to-back 50-save performances for the first time in his career (54 saves Game 1, 53 in Game 2). Prior to this weekend, Muse had never made more than 50 saves in a contest.

50+ save gamesIn Royals playoff history, four Reading netminders have had at least 50 saves in a game – John Muse (2x), Martin Ouellette (2x), Mark Dekanich and Mark Owuya. In the 2016 playoffs, Ouellette blocked 50 shots vs. Wheeling in Game 4 of the second round. In Game 7, he made 51 and allowed four goals in an overtime loss to the Nailers.

Dekanich made a career high 50 saves in Game 5 of the first round last season vs. Brampton, another OT loss.

In Game 1 of the 2013 Eastern Conference Final vs. Cincinnati, Owuya made 50 saves and Bobby Shea scored in double overtime. The Royals won the series in five games.

Reading has never had a 50-save postseason game in regulation.

Muse’s efforts mark the first time ever a Reading netminder has had back-to-back 50+ save games.

Back-to-back double overtimesThe Royals have gone to double overtime in back-to-back games for the first time in team history. In 2 OT games, Reading is 4-5. The weekend set in Manchester marked the fourth time Reading has had back-to-back playoff games reach overtime. The record is three times in a row during the 2013 Eastern Conference Final vs. Cincinnati. Reading took Game 1 in the first OT, Game 2 in 2 OT and dropped the third game in the first overtime.

Reading has never had three games in a series reach double overtime or later. In the 2011 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. Cincinnati, the Royals swept the series and won both double overtime games.

2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs Tickets On SaleLock down your Kelly Cup Playoff tickets by calling 610-898-7825. A Royals team member will provide you with curbside service outside the Lion’s Den Team Store at the corner of 8th and Penn Street; just call 610-898-7825 and we will deliver your tickets without leaving your car.

The Royals are offering five playoff vouchers for $85. Use the five vouchers at any home playoff games!

Miniplans available for 2018-19! Call 610-898-7825 to learn more about 9, 12 and 18 game mini-plans for the 2018-19 season!

2018-19 season tickets now availableTop full-season benefits include: exclusive Reading Hockey Club per seat gift, discounted rate off regular ticket prices, ticket exchange, preseason meet and greet, exclusive season ticket holder events, advanced entry and a chance to win and the Royals Owner’s Suite for a game. Call 610-898-7825 and visit to join the Royals family or renew season tickets for the 2018-19 season. Visit royalshockey.com/tickets/season-tickets to learn more.

About the RoyalsThe Royals have been owned by serial entrepreneur Jack Gulati since 2014 and are in their 17th ECHL season. Proudly affiliated with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Reading plays in the Santander Arena, located in downtown Reading, PA at 700 Penn Street. The Royals won the Kelly Cup in 2013, have made the playoffs in eight straight seasons and are four-time division champions.

Broadcast CoverageAll Royals game can be heard on Rumba 1340 AM and the iHeartRadio app by searching “Rumba 1340”. The pregame show starts 15 minutes before puck drop. Watch Royals games on ECHL.tv. Reading away games are shown locally on BCTV.