Reading, PA - The Reading Royals (0-2-0-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, fell to the Wheeling Nailers (2-0-0-0), 5-1, in Game Two of the North Division Semifinal 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs at WesBanco Arena on Saturday, April 25th.

Goaltender Keith Petruzzelli (0-1-0-0) suffered the loss in goal with 14 saves on 18 shots faced while Nailers’ netminder Taylor Gauthier (2-0-0-0) earned the win with 32 saves on 33 shots faced.

BOX SCORE

Matthew Quercia (2) opened Wheeling’s lead 4:21 into play before Ryan McAllister (1) and Matty De St. Phalle (1) extended the Nailers lead, 3-0, at 5:04 and 12:17 respectively in the second period. Alec Butcher (1) scored the first Reading goal of the postseason at 14:06 of the middle frame on the power play to bring the Royals within two, 3-1.

Wheeling restored their three-goal lead and tacked on an empty net goal between Blake Bennett (1) and Craig Armstong (1) to seal the Wheeling 2-0 series lead.

When trailing by two games to start a playoff series, the Royals are 0-5 in team history. The series shifts home for the Royals Wednesday at Santander Arena at 7:00 p.m. against Wheeling.

Kelly Cup Playoff Schedule

North Division Semifinals: #1 Wheeling (46-20-3-3, 98 points) vs. #4 Reading Royals (36-26-8-2, 82 points)

GAME 1 - 4-0 Wheeling (WHL 1-0)

GAME 2 - 5-1 Wheeling (WHL 2-0)

GAME 3 - HOME - (Wednesday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m. @ Santander Arena) - CLICK FOR TICKETS (Use code "BCCCA" at checkout for Wednesday Buy One, Get One ticket deal)

GAME 4 - HOME - (Friday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. @ Santander Arena) - CLICK FOR TICKETS

GAME 5* - HOME* - (Saturday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m. @ Santander Arena) - CLICK FOR TICKETS

GAME 6* - AWAY (Monday, May 4 at 7:10 p.m. @ WesBanco Arena)

GAME 7* - AWAY (Wednesday, May 6 at 7:10 p.m. @ WesBanco Arena)

*If necessary

Click here to see all tickets on Ticketmaster

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2026-27 Season Memberships

Royals365 Season Memberships, select game plans, and group tickets are available for the 2026-27 season now by visiting the Royals’ box office at Santander Arena or by calling 610-898-7825.

About the Royals

The Reading Royals, proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, are in their 24th season in the ECHL. They won their first Kelly Cup championship in 2013 and have clinched playoff berths in 13 of their latest 15 seasons. They are five-time division champions and were the 2021-22 Eastern Conference regular season champion. The Berks County Convention Center Authority (BCCCA), founded in 1996, owns the Royals and oversees operations at Santander Arena.