The Trois-Rivieres Lions and Reading Royals met on Saturday night for Game 2 of the North Division Semifinals. Reading was looking to tie up the series before heading home. For the second straight night, the Lions would jump on the board quickly as Isaac Dufort fed Anthony Beauregard in front for his first of the Kelly Cup Playoffs just over two minutes after the opening faceoff. Alex Beaucage fired a shot through traffic that beat Keith Petruzzelli as the Lions had a 2-0 lead just 5:45 into the first period. It would be all Lions in the opening period as they’d outshoot the Royals 14-8 and hold a 2-0 lead.
Trois-Rivieres wouldn’t slow down in the second as Jakov Novak put home a rebound just 13 seconds into the period. Needing a response, Sam Sedley quickly responded with a shot from the point that beat Luke Cavallin’s glove side to get the Royals on the board. Sedley’s goal came 1:39 after the Novak goal. The physicality started to show on Saturday as Mason Primeau threw a giant hit on Anthony Beauregard, who would leave the game but later return. The Trois-Rivieres Lions PP stayed hot as Nicolas Guay found the back of the net on the man advantage. Reading down three, would continue to step up their physicality, looking for anything to try and swing the momentum. The Royals would finish the period with 13 shots on goal, the most they’ve had through six periods.
Reading, down three, got a rough start to the period with Primeau taking a double-minor penalty just 41 seconds in. The Royals killed off the penalty and kept the glimmer of hope alive for a comeback. The Lions would take a penalty with 5:05 remaining. Reading pulled Petruzzelli for the extra attacker. It wouldn’t work for Reading, as Logan Nijhoff added an empty-netter to seal the 5-1 victory. Alex Beaucage would finish the night with a goal and three assists. Luke Cavallin would make 37 saves for his second win in as many nights. The series will now shift to Reading with Game 3 on Monday Night.
ITR 34: End Of The Road – Inside The Rink
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