Reading, PA - The Reading Royals (1-3-0-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, defeated the Wheeling Nailers (3-0-1-0), 3-2, in overtime of Game Four of the North Division Semifinal 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs at Santander Arena on Friday, May 1.

Goaltender Yaniv Perets (1-2-0-0) earned the win in goal with 25 saves on 27 shots faced while Nailers’ netminder Taylor Gauthier (3-0-1-0) suffered the overtime loss with 28 saves on 31 shots faced.

BOX SCORE

Mike Posma (1) scored 11:04 into play for a Wheeling early lead, which was answered by Connor Kurth’s (1) first of two goals in the game at 8:44 for a tie score after the first period, 1-1.

Nolan Renwick (1) restored Wheeling’s lead at 5:11 of the second period, 2-1, which held until Carson Golder (1) blasted a blue-line shot past Gauthier with 27 second remaining in regulation, at 19:33, to force overtime, 2-2.

8:44 into overtime, Kurth (2) picked off a Wheeling pass at the Nailers’ blue-line and beat Gauthier on a breakaway to seal the comeback win.

The overtime win snapped a 12-game winless streak in playoff overtime periods and was the first OT victory in the playoffs since Game One of the 2013 Kelly Cup Final against Stockton. The Royals play Game Five on Saturday, May 2 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 - 2-0 Wheeling (WHL 3-0)

GAME 4 - 3-2 OT Reading (WHL 3-1)

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.