WHEELING, Wv – For the third straight time in Reading Royals history, they played a Game Seven in the ECHL playoffs. They were 2-3-0 in five previous Game Sevens. Unfortunately for them they also have a history of losing playoff series when leading them. Tonight the Wheeling Nailers made their own history Wednesday night with a 4-3 in overtime win to send the Nailers to the ECHL’s Eastern Conference finals.
The Royals led the series 3-2 but they lost Game Six in a mind numbing blowout. This time they would blow a two goal lead only to tie the game late in the third period only to blow the game with only 38 seconds left in the first overtime. The game saw a combined seven different goal scorers but the only that mattered the most was off the stick of Riley Brace for his fourth of the playoffs.
The Royals once again scored the first goal of the game but for the second straight game lost the game. They were 7-0 when scoring the first goal heading into Game Six. Once again the special teams were scoreless for Reading as Wheeling went 1-5 on the power play.
As they did in Game Six the Nailers outshot the Royals in every period of the game and outshot Reading 55-36. In the third period they outshot the Royals 14-5 in overtime and pumped 18 shots on net in the third period alone. The Royals went back to starter Martin Ouellette and Wheeling went back to Ben Foster.
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