ESTERO, FL  –   David Rutherford scored twice to help lift the Florida Everblades to a 4-1 win over the Reading Royals in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Germain Arena Wednesday night.  Florida holds a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Florida struck first just 1:40 into the game, as the 'Blades steered a backhanded pass to a rushing Mathieu Roy at the Reading blue line. Roy broke into the zone on a breakaway chance and backhanded a shot high past the blocker of Royals goaltender Mark Owuya for the goal.  The goal was Roy’s eighth of the postseason and, the Everblades took the 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

The Royals countered with a goal their own at 1:07 of the second period.  Florida goaltender Jesse Deckert stopped a Kirk MacDonald shot in front, but the rebound bounced to Mark Mitera in the slot, who immediately fired the puck into the net to tie the game at one. 

The Everblades reclaimed the lead five minutes later on the power play. David Rutherford snapped a shot from the blue line which clipped past a screened Owuya to put Florida back on top 2-1.

Florida took the tight one-goal advantage into the third period, but was able to grab some breathing room on the power play.  Adam Brace blasted a slapshot from the high slot which was slowed off the body of a Reading player in front, and the puck bounced to the stick of A.J. Jenks on the right side the crease.  Jenks tapped the puck into the net to pull the ‘Blades ahead by two.

Reading continued to challenge for the remainder of period, outshooting the ‘Blades 13-5 in the third. However, Deckert remained sharp and turned aside all of the shots the Royals threw his way.

Rutherford added an empty net tally at 17:50 of the period to secure the 4-1 win. The goal was Rutherford’s second of the game and fifth of the playoffs. 

Deckert earned the win stopping 28 of 29 shots faced, while Owuya takes the loss allowing three goals on 24 shots in the contest.

The two teams meet again on Friday for Game 4 to be played at Germain Arena. Game time set for 7:30 p.m. The game will also be broadcast on 96 K-Rock (96.1 FM), or online at www.floridaeverblades.com

The following is a complete schedule of the best-of-seven series:

(1) Reading Royals v (4) Florida Everblades (Florida leads 2-1)Game 1:  Friday, April 19: Florida – 4  at Reading – 3Game 2:  Saturday, April 20: Florida – w  at Reading – 3Game 3: Wednesday, April 24 Reading – 1  at Florida – 4Game 4: Friday, April 26  (7:30 pm)  at Florida   (Playoff Game E)Game 5  Saturday, April 27 (7:00 pm) at  Florida (Playoff Game F)Game 6:  Tuesday, April 30 (7:05 pm) at Reading (If Necessary)Game 7:  Wednesday, May 1 (7:05 pm) at Reading (If Necessary)

Tickets for Games 4 & 5 are currently on sale!

Ticket Information: The Capital Bank Box Office is open Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m.  6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Fans may also call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or order online atwww.ticketmaster.com

Season ticket packages for the 2013-14 season are currently on sale. Call 239-948-7825 to speak to a sales representative about package options

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