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ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Sink Rivermen, 3-2, Take 2-1 Series Lead

April 21, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Forward Lars Pettersen (2g) recorded the game winner on the power play, 4:14 into the third period, as Reading downed Peoria, 3-2.  The win allowed the Royals to take a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-five Northern Division Finals.

After a tight-checking first period, in which the Royals out-shot the Rivermen, 10-5, the home team broke the scoreless tie, just as the contest neared its halfway point.

Reading opened the scoring at the 8:19 mark of the second period, as Dave Stewart (1g) notched his first goal of the post season, with Brad Church (2a) and Reagan Rome (2a) drawing the assists on the even-strength goal.  Positioned behind the oppositions' net, Stewart appeared to bank the puck off of Peoria goaltender Mike Valley (26 saves). 

The Royals would extend their lead to 2-0 with 3:17 remaining in the second stanza, when Pettersen tipped home a shot that Rome wristed from the point.  The power-play goal was Pettersen's first of the evening and of the playoffs, with Rome and David Masse(2a) assisting on the tally.

Reading took a 3-0 lead after Pettersen's second power-play goal of the night, and hung on as the Rivermen tried to mount a valiant comeback.  Peoria got on the board just 1:29 after the Royals' third goal, as Joe Vandermeer (1g) scored on the man-advantage.  Forwards Adam Edinger (1g, 1a) and Trevor Baker (1a) picked up the helpers.  The Rivermen then gained a power play opportunity, when Reading defenseman Doug Nolan was penalized for an illegal stick curve with 2:01 left in regulation.  Peoria pulled their goaltender, and cashed in on the 6-on-4 situation, making it a one-goal game.  Edinger got credit for the Rivermen's second goal, while Tyler Rennette (1a) and Scott Crawford (1a) notched the assists.

Cody Rudkowsky finished with 32 saves for the Royals, who can eliminate the Rivermen with a victory in either of the next two contests.  Peoria peppered Rudkowsky with 20, third-period shots, a playoff-high for a Reading opponent.

Game four of the series is at the Sovereign Center on April 22nd, with the faceoff scheduled for 7:05 pm.  All the action can be heard live via the Royals' web site; www.royalshockey.com or locally, on ESPN Radio 1240 AM.

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