BEAST
Brampton

1-2

ROYALS
Reading

Lineup

Forward lines and defense pairings: 

[one_half]Crisp – Pacan – Marino
Vallorani – MacLean – Pither
Auger – Blain – Ling[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Gagner – Henry
Corrin – Billingsley
Traccitto – Thrower[/one_half_last]

Goaltenders:

D’Agostini
Billie

Scratches: Matt Petgrave, Daultan Leveille, Lucas Venuto, Mike Folkes, Corey Durocher, Zachary Fucale

Injured Reserve: 

Game Report

After clinching a playoff berth in Reading, PA less than two weeks ago, the Brampton Beast found themselves back in Santander Arena to begin Round 1 of the Kelly Cup Playoffs against the Reading Royals.  Tim Billingsley and Zach Fucale both had returned from their callups to the AHL, however only Billingsley would play in this game.

The tone of the first period was set in stone within the first five minutes of play when the Beast found themselves mostly pinned in their own zone, not able to get generate practically any shots on goal.  Reggie Traccitto made some nice defensive moves at times in the period, and Connor Crisp was demonstrating exceptional puck-handling and passing skills.

But Reading was the first team to light the lamp when Robbie Czarnik raced up ice on a breakaway and deflected the puck off of netminder Andrew D’Agostini’s shoulder and into the net.

The second period didn’t start with much to speak of at the Brampton end of the ice, either.  At times D’Agostini looked a bit anxious in net, especially after losing his stick more than once and having to fend off point blank shots with just his blocker and pads.  The Royals eventually found their way into the back of the net to go up 2-0 over the Beast, but then Crisp came through on a power play opportunity to get his team back within one goal.

In the final frame, momentum definitely swung in the Beast’s direction.  They outshot their opponents 17-7 in the third period alone and continually put pressure on the Reading defense.  Despite a hard push to tie the game and force overtime, the clock ran out and the Royals took the first game of this series, 2-1.

The Beast will practice in Reading on Friday afternoon in preparation for Game 2 on Saturday night at Santander Arena.

▲     Connor Crisp, Reggie Traccitto, David Pacan, Jordan Henry

▼     Mathieu Gagnon, David Ling

1. Mark Dekanich  REA
2. Todd Perry  REA
3. Andrew D’Agostini  BRM

Post-game interview with Colin Chaulk

Post-game interview with Reggie Traccitto

Post-game interview with Andrew D’Agostini

Quotes courtesy of AHL Report

Thanks to this Robbie Czarnik strike, the @RRoyalsHockey take a 1-0 lead against Brampton in Game 1 pic.twitter.com/r1Ou5X2lo2

— ECHL (@ECHL) April 13, 2017

Looking forward to hearing the Mile One Center rocking tomorrow night as we push to get into the playoffs. #ralllyinred @IceCapsAHL

— Chris Terry (@christerry25) April 13, 2017

The #NHLPlayoffs have arrived #Habs fans!!!! Be sure to follow @AllHabs for extensive coverage!

(Follow @TheAHLReport as well!) #GoHabsGo! pic.twitter.com/BEUuaC2FTW

— Matt Smith (@Snakebite350) April 12, 2017

Follow @theAHLReport on Twitter