READING, Pa. – The Florida Everblades (20-13-1) almost pulled of a miraculous third-period comeback for the second consecutive game, but their effort was erased as the Reading Royals picked up a 4-3 win Thursday night.

Just as on Tuesday night, the Royals (20-9-1) opened the game’s scoring on captain Ryan Cruthers 12th goal of the year in the first period as he sent a quick shot past Everblades goaltender Bobby Goepfert.

The Everblades (20-13-1) managed to even the score early in the second period just after the conclusion of their second power play of the night. Kyle Lawson found Cedric McNicoll at the bottom of the right circle where he lifted a shot over Royals net-minder Michael Hutchinson.

The Royals got the lead back 2-1 on a long slap shot by Ben Gordon from the blue line.

The Royals then extended the lead to 3-1 at the tail end of a 5-on-3 power play. It looked like the Everblades would kill off the two-man advantage, but Reading’s Casey Haines poking the puck past Goepfert.

The Everblades used a pair of third-period power-play goals to tie the game at 3-3 late in regulation. The first came after Alex Imbeault whipped a wrist shot past Hutchinson.

Goepfert ended up seeing his record fall to 12-7-1 after allowing the four goals on 29 shots.

The Everblades and Royals are on the ice again Friday.