ECHL North Division playoffs

No. 4 Toledo Storm (41-26-5) vs. No. 1 Reading Royals (43-77-7)

Head-to-head

   Season series: Reading 6-2-1. 2004-05 results: Dec. 18: Royals 5, Toledo 2. Dec. 19: Toledo 3, Royals 2 (shootout). Jan. 16: Royals 4, Toledo 2. Jan. 28: Toledo 1, Royals 0. Feb. 5: Toledo 2, Royals 1. Feb. 13: Royals 6, Toledo 2. Feb. 27: Royals 2, Toledo 0. Mar. 22: Royals 6, Toledo 4. April 7: Royals 2, Toledo 1.

   Playoff history: This is the first meeting between the teams. The franchises have meet twice in the postseason, when the Royals were the Columbus Chill. Toledo and Columbus each won one series.

Scoring leaders

   Royals: Graig Mischler 12 goals, 51 assists—63 points, Eric Fortier 23-27—50, Cail MacLean 23-19—42, Preston Mizzi 19-21—40, Jon Francisco 19-21—40.

   Storm: Carl Mallette 30-50—80, Kevin Bergin 19-35—54, Nick Parillo 16-32—48.
Scouting the Royals

   Advanced to the Eastern Conference finals as a wild card team last season. . . . Set team records for wins (43), points (93), consecutive wins (nine) and road wins (18). . . . Have won four straight against the Storm. . . . Led the league in goals against at 2.24 per game. . . . Scored a league-high 16 short-handed goals. . . . G Barry Brust had a 1.96 goals-against average, the second-lowest in the league. . . F Cail MacLean tied for the league lead with 15 power-play goals. . . . F Graig Mischler was fourth in the league with 51 assists.

Scouting the Storm

   Missed the playoffs last season. In the postseason for the 11 th time in 14 seasons. . . . Won the ECHL title in 1993 and 1994. . . . F Carl Mallette was second in the league with 80 points and fifth in assists with 50. . . . G Scott Fankhouser had 29 wins with four shutouts and a 2.34 goals-against average. . . . Scored 14 short-handed goals, second in the league. . . . Are 1-4 at Reading this season.

   — Compiled by Matt Malinowski