April 19-20

Tuesday night at the Arena in downtown Reading, the Royals hosting the Toledo Walleye in game #3 of the conference quarterfinals. The teams split the first two games in Toledo, on this night the Royals struck first late in the opening period on a score from Maxim Lamarche. The Walleye evened the score midway through the second period, a minute-and-a-half later Yannick Tifu replied to make it 2-1. Ian Watters' goal early in the third period upped the lead to two but the Walleye found the net with two minutes left to pull within one. In the closing minute Joe Rehkamp hit an empty-netter to cement the 4-2 win, Martin Ouellette was the goalie of record for the Royals. On Wednesday night in game #4 the Walleye drew first blood, a second score early in the second period put the Royals in a two-goal hole. Brandon Alderson got the club in the board late in the period but that was to be the only score for the home side, a Toledo empty-netter locked up the 3-1 verdict as Adam Morrison took the loss in goal. The series is square at two games apiece, what began as a best-of-seven and became a best-of-five has been reduced to a best-of-three. The pivotal game #5 is in Toledo on Friday with the series returning to Reading on Sunday the 24th. Take care, thanks for reading.