READING, PA – Like most teams heading into a playoff series, the Reading Royals headed into game two of their best-of-seven North division semifinal series against the Brampton Beast with the hope that they could end their series in quick fashion. The Beast made sure that would not happen.
Brampton came back from a 1-0 deficit, turning the contest around for a 2-1 overtime victory to even the series at one win apiece heading back to Brampton.
Tim Billingsley’s goal with 3:36 left in regulation sent the game to overtime only to have teammate Jordan Henry steal the show with his game winner at the 14:47 mark of the first extra period, setting the stage for next week’s showdown set of games at home.
Brampton went with Zachary Fucale in net in game two and it paid off as he made on the 31 Royals shots he faced. Reading went back to game one starter Mark Dekanich who had a great game despite the loss, stopping 38 of 40 Brampton shots.
Both teams played evenly in the first period but the host Royals were held to just three shots on net in the second period. Reading returned the favor in the third, holding the Beast to only five shots, but were badly outplayed in the overtime as Brampton flipped the shots on goal when it mattered the most in the extra period.
The first ever post-season series between the two teams will continue on Tuesday, April 18th in Brampton with game three set for 7:15 p.m. at the Powerade Centre.
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