Royals Get Second Straight OT Win in Florida, 5-4

Reading Takes 3 Games to 2 Lead with Improbable Comeback OT Win

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 wild, dramatic overtime fashion in Game Five of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semi-Final match-up against the Florida Everblades, 5-4, at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida. The Royals now have a three games to two lead in the series with Game Six scheduled for Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, April 30. Reading struck first 2:17 into the game, when Barry Almedia picked off a break-out attempt by Florida defenseman Maury Edwards at the right side of the Everblade net. Almeida stole and fired from in tight under goaltender Brady Hjelle (0-0-1, 24/29 in 69:45) for his second of the playoff season. The Royals took a 2-0 first period lead, when Ethan Cox stole on the end wall and slipped a pass to the top of the crease, where Ian O’Connor took the puck with his right skate, pushed it to his stick and back-handed the puck under Hjelle for his second in two games. Florida tied the game up with a pair of goals in the second. The first came 5:26 into the period when the Royals got caught up ice, resulting in an odd man rush for the Everblades. Leigh Salters slipped a perfect cross-slot pass to the charging Adam Brace who buried it for his fourth of the playoff season. The Everblades tied the game 16:59 into the second on when Corey Trivino got his own rebound after a brilliant left pad stop by Riley Gill (4-1-0, 21/25 in 69:34) on the original bid for Trivino, who racked up his second of the playoff season. The Everblades took their first lead of the game 7:40 into the third when Matthew Pistilli fired one from the high slot off the back glass. The puck ricocheted to the left side of the crease, where Trivino banged his second of the game home. Florida took a two goal lead 13:28 into the third, when Salters banked one off the right wing wall and a racing Brace took it on the fly down the right side. Brace had the inside track on Bryant Molle, and he got to the top of the crease, where he buried his second of the game. Reading drew back within one 15:21 into the third with a five-on-three pulled goaltender power play goal. Kirk MacDonald slipped it cross-crease from deep on the left side to a waiting Evan Barlow who buried for his first of the playoff season. The Royals tied the game with a second power play goal with just 1:47 left in regulation. Barlow slipped a beautiful pass to the top of the crease, where Nikita Kashirsky chipped it home for his second of the playoff season. Reading won for the second consecutive night in overtime 9:45 into the extra session when Dominic Jalbert fired from left point. The puck went wide, but was dug out by Yannick Tifu who got a bid at the right side of the crease. That was rejected, but Barlow found the puck on the left side and stuffed it home for his second of the night—and first OT GWG as a Royal. The Royals and Everblades play Game six of the best of seven Eastern Conference Semi-Finals on Tuesday, April 30 @7:05 pm at Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania. Tuesday’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 6:35 pm.. Royals’ playoff ticket 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 READING LEADS SERIES THREE GAMES TO TWOGame 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: Reading 5 – Florida 4 OT (Germain Arena, Estero, FL)Game 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