Reading, PA- With offense highlighting the first four games of the series, it would be a defensive contest in game five that would decided the fate of the Kalamazoo Wings and the Reading Royals. For the third time in the series, the contest would head into overtime; however unlike the previous two, this game was won by the Royals, who advance to the American Conference Semi-Finals.

For the first time in their quarterfinals match-up, Kalamazoo was able to score in the opening 20 minutes of action. Taking the puck away from Reading’s Aaron Brocklehurst, Darryl Lloyd sent a pass behind the net to Brian McGuirk (2nd) who registered the lone goal of the period on a wrap-around marker 1:33 into the game.  

Before the goal from McGuirk, the K-Wings had been outscored 8-0 in the first period of the series.

Reading pulled even in the second period with a tally from Alex Berry (1st). Skating along the wall, Berry swift wrist shot caught K-Wings goaltender Riley Gill off balance and beat him just below the blocker.

The Royals took the lead midway in the period with Olivier Labelle’s team-leading 5th goal of the playoffs. Labelle’s rebound goal gave the Royals a 2-1 advantage with over 12 minutes remaining in regulation.

The K-Wings came back to tie the game at 2-2 with four minutes remaining in regulation with a right circle slap shot from Ben Simon (3rd). The goal gives Simon goals in all three games he has played in the postseason.

  

Neither team was able to score in the remainder of regulation forcing overtime.

Early in the overtime, Gill kept the K-Wings season alive stopping a penalty shot from Labelle 5:45 into the extra session.

However, with 2:52 remaining in the first overtime, a turnover in the K-Wings zone proved costly, as Andrew Sarauer (1st) stole the puck and scored the series clinching goal.

Gill (1-2) stopped a playoff-high 52 saves in the loss, while Dalton (3-2) saved 36 shots in the victory.

The win earns the Royals a three games to two series victory over the K-Wings. Reading will now face the Florida Everblades in American Conference Semi-Finals.

For Game Stats: http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=7921.    

For more information about tonight’s game, please contact director of public relations/broadcaster Mike Modugno at (269) 349-9772 extension 220.

 

 

 

                                                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                        

 

                                                              

 

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