Former Bears Push Reading to 2-0 Lead in Kelly Cup Finals

Reading, PA – T.J. Syner scores in the Reading Royals’ victory in game two of the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

The Reading Royals are just two wins away from from their first ECHL Kelly Cup championship. The Royals won game two of the best of seven finals in convincing fashion, a 4-0 win over the Stockton Thunder. All the scoring came from players who have seen playing time with the Hershey Bears. Coming off a thrilling 6-5 overtime win, the Royals dominated game two, in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 4,693.

The Royals jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead on a goal by Alex Berry just 8:33 into the game. Just over five minutes later Brett Flemming made it 2-0. T.J Syner added a power play goal with less than two minutes left in the period. Stockton was out of the game when Evan Barlow added an insurance goal late in the second period. Royals goalie Riley Gill got the shutout for Reading.

“It was nice to get those three goals in the first period,” said Royals coach Larry Courville. “For the most part I thought our guys played well for all 60 minutes. In the end they protected the lead and played smart hockey which was the right thing to do.”

Now the Royals get a short night rest before taking early morning flights to the west coast, for game three, four and if needed game five in Stockton.

“This will be the longest we’ve traveled all year,” said Royals defenseman Brett Flemming. “It’s a pretty quick turnaround and we only get one day off. We are going to have to get our legs under us real quick.”

Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee and Hershey Bears President and General Manager Doug Yingst sat together at Sunday’s game, observing their prospects and likely discussing coaching candidates for the Hershey Bears. Royals coach Larry Courville is considered to be one of the potential coaching candidates.

Game three on Tuesday night begins at 10:00pm eastern time.