
Kurth, Royals Force Game Five with Overtime Comeback Win in North Division Semifinal Kelly Cup Playoffs Series Game Four, 3-2
Published on May 1, 2026 under ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release
Reading, PA - The Reading Royals (1-3-0-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, defeated the Wheeling Nailers (3-0-1-0), 3-2, in overtime of Game Four of the North Division Semifinal 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs at Santander Arena on Friday, May 1.
Goaltender Yaniv Perets (1-2-0-0) earned the win in goal with 25 saves on 27 shots faced while Nailers' netminder Taylor Gauthier (3-0-1-0) suffered the overtime loss with 28 saves on 31 shots faced.
Mike Posma (1) scored 11:04 into play for a Wheeling early lead, which was answered by Connor Kurth's (1) first of two goals in the game at 8:44 for a tie score after the first period, 1-1.
Nolan Renwick (1) restored Wheeling's lead at 5:11 of the second period, 2-1, which held until Carson Golder (1) blasted a blue-line shot past Gauthier with 27 second remaining in regulation, at 19:33, to force overtime, 2-2.
8:44 into overtime, Kurth (2) picked off a Wheeling pass at the Nailers' blue-line and beat Gauthier on a breakaway to seal the comeback win.
The overtime win snapped a 12-game winless streak in playoff overtime periods and was the first OT victory in the playoffs since Game One of the 2013 Kelly Cup Final against Stockton. The Royals play Game Five on Saturday, May 2 at Santander Arena at 7:00 p.m. against Wheeling.
Kelly Cup Playoff Schedule
North Division Semifinals: #1 Wheeling (46-20-3-3, 98 points) vs. #4 Reading Royals (36-26-8-2, 82 points)
GAME 1 - 4-0 Wheeling (WHL 1-0)
GAME 2 - 5-1 Wheeling (WHL 2-0)
GAME 3 - 2-0 Wheeling (WHL 3-0)
GAME 4 - 3-2 OT Reading (WHL 3-1)
GAME 5* - HOME* - (Saturday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m. @ Santander Arena)
GAME 6* - AWAY (Monday, May 4 at 7:10 p.m. @ WesBanco Arena)
GAME 7* - AWAY (Wednesday, May 6 at 7:10 p.m. @ WesBanco Arena)
*If necessary -
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ECHL Stories from May 1, 2026
- Cipollone's Double Overtime Winner Seals 3-2 Victory for Atlanta in Game 5 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Kurth, Royals Force Game Five with Overtime Comeback Win in North Division Semifinal Kelly Cup Playoffs Series Game Four, 3-2 - Reading Royals
- Stingrays Fall in Double Overtime to Atlanta in Game 5, 3-2 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Ghost Pirates Season Comes to a Close in Game 4 Loss - Savannah Ghost Pirates
- Royals Extend Series by a Whisker - Wheeling Nailers
- Mariners Rally over Adirondack, Lead Series 3-1 - Maine Mariners
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- Kansas City Sweeps Tahoe; Advances to Second Round of Kelly Cup Playoffs with 4-1 Win - Tahoe Knight Monsters
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