Everblades Power By Royals in Florida, 4-1

Florida’s Power Play Strikes for a Pair—Including GWG in Game Three

Reading, PA– The Reading Royals of the ECHL, affiliate of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, were defeated in Game Three of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semi-Final match-up against the Florida Everblades, 4-1, at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida. The Everblades now hold a two games to one lead in the series. Florida struck first—early—when a set play through the neutral zone sent Mathieu Roy streaking through two Reading defenders at the offensive blue line. Roy was in all alone on Mark Owuya (loss, 3-2-0, 21/24, 1 eng), cut to the right side of the crease, and chipped back against the grain—high stick side—for his eighth of the playoff season 1:40 into the game. Reading tied the game early in the second when T.J. Syner freed Kirk MacDonald out of the right corner. MacDonald made a great move to get to the top of the crease. A scrum ensued, and Yannick Tifu freed the puck to the low slot where Mark Mitera ripped a bomb through a pile for his first of the playoff season 1:07 into the second. Florida re-took the lead 6:42 into the second on their second power play chance of the game. After a face-off win, David Rutherford fired a seeing-eye wrister from the left point that slipped by Owuya for Rutherford’s fourth of the playoff season. The Everblades bagged a second PPG 5:41 into the third to make it a 3-1 lead. Adam Brace fired from the right point, and A.J. Jenks deflected it by Owuya for his sixth of the playoff season. David Rutherford added an empty netter with 2:10 remaining to ice it. The loss continued several trends for the Royals, who outshot the opposition for the eighth time in eight playoff games, but didn’t have much to show for it tonight thanks in large part to a solid effort from the Everblades’ goaltender, Jesse Deckert (win, 6-3-0, 28/29). The Royals and Everblades play Game Four of the best of seven Eastern Conference Semi-Finals on Friday, April 24 @7:30 pm at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida. Friday’s game night broadcast on CBS Sports Radio 1240 am and 98.5 fm will kick off with the pre-game warm-up show presented by Steve Moyer Subaru at 7:00 pm. As with all Royals’ road games, Wednesday’s game will be televised locally in Berks County, Pennsylvania, on BCTV courtesy of Boscov’s Travel and Apple Vacations. More information is available at 610-898-7825 and through the Royals website: www.royalshockey.com. Don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook at Reading Royals and "Follow" us on Twitter @RRoyalshockey for the latest team information. EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS(1) Reading Royals v (4) Florida Everblades FLORIDA LEADS SERIES TWO GAMES TO ONEGame One: Florida 4 – Reading 3 (Sovereign Center, Reading, PA)Game Two: Reading 3 – Florida 2 (Sovereign Center, Reading, PA)Game Three: Florida 4 – Reading 1 (Germain Arena, Estero, FL)Game Four: Friday, April 26 (7:30 pm) at Germain Arena, Estero, FLGame Five: Saturday, April 27 (7:00 pm) at Germain Arena, Estero, FLGame Six (IF NECESSARY): Tuesday, April 30 (7:05 pm) at Sovereign Center, Reading, PAGame Seven (IF NECESSARY): Wednesday, May 1 (7:05 pm) at Sovereign Center, Reading, PA