Reading Royals Open Kelly Cup Finals With Dramatic Win

Photo by Purdon Photography

It was a long time in waiting, but Saturday the Reading Royals for in the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time in their franchise’s history. After three division tittles, and a 2013 Eastern Conference crown, the Royals looked to open their first Kelly Cup Finals series on the right foot.

The opponent standing in Reading’s way from hoisting Kelly is the Stockton Thunder. The Thunder opened the game displaying sloppy breakout pass attempts through the defensive and neutral zone. Those passes were intercepted multiple times by Royal skaters, leading to chances against Stockton goaltender Olivier Roy.

With the game tied 3-3 ten seconds before the 15 minutes mark of the final frame, Nikita Kashirsky tallied his fourth goal of the postseason off a centering pass from T.J. Syner. It gave Reading a lead which would last only 18 seconds. The opposite direction, Nathan Deck scored his first of the postseason to bring the score even again at 4-4.

Overtime looked promising until the Royals were awarded a power play with 2:22 left in regulation. The Sovereign Center crowd erupted when with 48 seconds left, Alex Berry squeaked a soft shot through the five-hole of Roy. Game 1 looked to be in Reading’s favor, but a miraculous game for the ages had another surprise left.

Amazingly, in the final minute, Stockton stormed down ice and tallied a tying goal with 22 seconds left in the third period. 5,000-plus spectators looked on in disbelief as the Thunder stormed back to tie the game only seconds after the roof was about to come off.

But in sudden death overtime, Kashirsky won the game for the Royals and clinched the franchises first win ever in the Kelly Cup Finals.

In the game, former Bears Nikita Kashirsky, Patrick Wellar, Evan Barlow, Alex Berry and T.J. Syner all combined for four goals and six assists.

The Royals have a chance to open a 2-0 series lead before heading to Stockton with Game 2 Sunday evening.