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ECHL Reading Royals

Reading to Meet Toledo in First Round of Playoffs

April 13, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA – The Reading Royals, affiliate of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and AHL's Manchester Monarchs, have announced Kelly Cup playoff dates and times for their first round opponent, Toledo. This is the first time ever Reading and Toledo will meet in Kelly Cup Playoff action. The following highlights dates and times of the North Division Semifinals between Reading and Toledo:

North Division Semifinals: #1 Reading vs. #4 Toledo (Best of Five Series)

Game 1: Thursday, April 14 at Sovereign Center in Reading 7:05 p.m.

Game 2: Saturday, April 16 at Sovereign Center in Reading 7:05 p.m.

Game 3: Sunday, April 17 at Sports Arena in Toledo 6:05 p.m.

Game 4: Tuesday, April 19 at Sports Arena in Toledo 7:05 p.m. *

Game 5: Wednesday, April 20 at Sovereign Center in Reading 7:05 p.m. *

* (if necessary)

The North Division Champs have posted a solid regular season record versus Toledo. Reading is 4-1-0 at home in the Sovereign Center and 6-2-1 overall against the Storm. In four seasons versus Toledo, the Royals have posted a record of 11-4-4. The Reading/ Columbus organization is 44-40-8 versus Toledo in their history in the regular season since 1991.

The Royals finished the regular season campaign at home against the Storm. Reading topped Toledo for the fourth straight time and third straight in the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania on April 7, 2-1. Just four of the nine games in this series were decided by one goal. The Storm claimed three of those battles, winning 2-1 on February 5 in Reading and 1-0 on January 28 in Toledo. The Storm slid by the Royals on December 19 in Toledo 3-2 in a shootout.

Although this is the first time Reading and Toledo have met in post-season history, the two organizations have a past playoff track record. Reading, formerly the Columbus Chill, met in the second round of the former Riley Cup Playoffs in 1993-94. The Storm swept the Chill 3-0, outscoring Columbus 21-9. Toledo went on to win the second of back-to-back Riley Cup Championships (Cup was renamed to Kelly Cup in 1996-97) in that season. The Chill and Storm rekindled post-season pleasantries in the 1996-97 season. Columbus edged Toledo three games to two in the first round of the playoffs. The Chill was swept in the second round by the Peoria Rivermen, three games to none. Overall, Reading/Columbus has a post-season record of three and five (3-5).

Kelly Cup Playoff tickets are now on sale at the Sovereign Center Box Office. The Box Office is opened Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased on Ticketmaster online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 215-336-2000. Call the Royals Hockey Headquarters at 610-898-7825 and speak with a ticket representative if you have any questions.

Reading hosts Toledo for game one in the Sovereign Center in Reading on Thursday, April 14 at 7:05 p.m. The first 2,000 fans through the gate receive a Royals team poster courtesy of the Reading Eagle Press. Gates open at 6:05 p.m.

Follow the Royals home and away on the Royals Radio Network presented by Casa Grande Ristorante in West Lawn. ESPN Radio, 1240AM, B2 Networks and Sportsjuice via the Royals website at www.royalshockey.com bring you all 72 exciting Royals games. The Classic Café pregame show begins approximately 30-minutes prior to faceoff.

For ticket information including; prorated season, half-season, quarter-season, voucher packs and group ticket packages visit the Royals website at www.royalshockey.com or call the Royals Hockey Headquarters at 610-898-PUCK (7825). Royals hockey...BLEED PURPLE!

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