2 weeks Ago
The Reading Royals fell to the Trois-Rivières Lions in double overtime, 3-2, on Monday night in Game 3 of the North Division Semifinal Kelly Cup Playoff Series at Santander Arena in Reading. Goaltender Vinnie Purpura suffered the overtime loss in goal with 33 saves on 36 shots faced while Lions’ goaltender Luke Cavallin earned the win in goal with 26 saves on 27 shots faced. Trois-Rivieres can sweep the best-of-seven series Wednesday night with a win in Game 4 at Santander.
Nicolas Guay gave Trois-Rivières a 1-0 lead 6:15 into the game that stood until Reading’s Shane Sellar evened the score at 15:17 of the first period. After a scoreless middle frame, Mason Primeau put Reading in front with 60 seconds left in the third period on a backhand shot past Cavallin. With their net empty, the Lions tied the score with 1.
9 seconds remaining in regulation on an Anthony Beauregard tap in. Reading outshot the Lions 7-6 in a scoreless first overtime frame, but 4:44 into the second overtime Andrew Coxhead tallied the overtime game-winner on a loose puck in Reading’s crease. Teams with a 3-0 lead are 72-2 all-time in an ECHL best-of-7 series.
Two times an ECHL team came back to win a series after being down 0-3: • Cincinnati over Reading in the 2010 American Conference Finals. • Idaho over Allen in the 2018 Mountain Division Semifinals..
