Royals Even Series with Dramtic OT Win in Florida, 3-2

T.J. Syner Hits Pay-Dirt on a Game Winning Breakaway in Overtime

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, won in dramatic overtime fashion in Game Four of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semi-Final match-up against the Florida Everblades, 3-2, at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida. The series is now tied at two games apiece. For the third time in the series, Florida struck first 9:21 into the first period, when Tommi Kivisto picked off a Royals breakout pass at the left point—just inside the offensive blue line. Kivisto fired a wrister to the mid-slot where Matthew Pistilli was floating through for the redirect that went between the outstretched legs of Riley Gill (win, 3-1-0, 24/26) for Pitsilli’s fourth of the playoff season. Reading tied the game with the team’s second short-handed goal of the series, when Ian O’Connor charged down the left wing side, cut to the left side of the net and fired from a sharp angle. The puck appeared to deflect off the stick of a Florida defender and sneak through Jesse Deckert (otl, 6-3-1, 25/28) for O’Connor’s first of the playoff season. The Royals took their first lead of the series since arriving earlier this week in Florida 8:23 into the third period after whiffing on a couple of close-in open net chances; but moments later, while driving off the rush a shot from the high slot went off the upper body of Deckert, and Dominic Jalbert drove the net and drove it home for his first pro goal. Florida sent the game to overtime with a game-tying goal with just 1:06 left in regulation when Corey Trivino dug a puck off the right wing wall and sent a cross-ice pass to Kivisto who fired out of the right circle. The shot appeared to go by a Reading defender and then slip through Gill to tie the game at two. The Royals won it in overtime on a breakaway goal. Ethan Cox sprang T.J. Syner for the long rush. Syner buried it low stick for his third of the playoff season and his first playoff OT GWG as a pro. The Royals and Everblades play Game Five of the best of seven Eastern Conference Semi-Finals on Saturday, April 27 @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 SERIES IS TIED TWO GAMES APIECEGame 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: Reading 3 – Florida 2 OT (Germain Arena, Estero, FL)Game Five: Saturday, April 27 (7:00 pm) at Germain Arena, Estero, FLGame Six: 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