Reading Evens Series with 3-2 Win in Game 2

READING, PA –   Yannick Tifu scored twice to lift the Reading Royals to a 3-2 victory over the Florida Everblades in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Sovereign Center Saturday night.  The best-of-seven series is now tied at 1-1.

Reading struck first, registering a shorthanded tally.  Florida was on the power play, but a turnover at its own blue line was taken away by Kirk MacDonald.  MacDonald took off on the breakaway, deked, and beat Florida goaltender Jesse Deckert on the backhand to give the Royals the 1-0 lead.

The Royals continued to find success with their special teams, converting on the power play at 13:01 of the first period.  Yannick Tifu fired wrist shot from the left wing circle which beat Deckert high on the glove side with just one second remaining on the Florida penalty to put the score at 2-0.

Three minutes later, Florida got on the board taking advantage of a turnover by the Royals in their own end. Shawn O’Donnell stole the puck away and flipped a pass to the top of the crease to David Rutherford.  Rutherford tapped the puck through the five-hole of Reading netminder Mark Owuya for the goal to pull the ‘Blades within one.  Reading took the 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

Just as they did in Game 1 on Friday, the Royals scored a goal just seconds into the middle period.  Yannick Tifu crashed the net and deflected the puck past Deckert form the top of the crease just 18 seconds into the period to extend the Reading lead to 3-1. The goal ended the night for Deckert, as Brady Hjelle came in relief at that point.

The Royals outshot the Everblades 16-4 in the second period, and Florida hit two posts on a pair of power play chances. Reading took the two-goal advantage into the second break. 

Reading controlled the play for the first 15 minutes of the third, but Florida pulled within one on the power play. Adam Brace directed a pass across the slot to Corey Trivino who hammered the puck past Owuya and into the net for the goal.

The goal gave the ‘Blades a spark, as the team set up a couple of more scoring chances late, but Owuya kept the puck out of the net to secure the 3-2 Reading win.

Owuya earned the win allowing two goals on 17 shots faced, while Deckert takes the loss allowing three goals on 14 shots. Brady Hjelle stopped all 26 shots faced in a relief effort in the second and third periods.

The series now shifts to Florida, beginning on Wednesday for Game 3 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 (Series tied 1-1)Game 1:  Friday, April 19: Florida – 4  at Reading – 3Game 2:  Saturday, April 20: Florida – w  at Reading – 3  Game 3: Wednesday, April 24 (7:30 pm) at Florida  (Playoff Game D)Game 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 Game 3, 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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