ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Cyclones Beat Johnstown, 5-2 Friday

April 11, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


CINCINNATI - The Cincinnati Cyclones opened a one game to none lead over Johnstown in the North Division semifinals with a 5-2 win Friday night at U.S. Bank Arena. Cincinnati killed off seven shorthanded situations, including a five-on-three in the second period for 50 seconds to highlight the triumph.

David Desharnais, who was named the ECHL's MVP earlier in the day, recorded a goal and two assists in his pro playoff debut. Thomas Beauregard also had two goals and an assist in the triumph. Goaltender Maxime Daigneault stopped 19 shots in taking his professional playoff win. The Cyclones won eight of the ten meetings between the teams in the regular season.

Johnstown opened the scoring just 40 seconds into the game, as Randy Rowe netted his third goal of the playoffs-the third straight game he has scored in the opening minute. Cincinnati leveled the scores at 1-1, when David Desharnais scored his first pro playoff goal from T.J. McElroy and Thomas Beauregard. Slightly more than three minutes ago at 10:06, Scott Reynolds netted his first goal of the postseason from Desharnais and Olivier Latendresse, to open up a 2-1 edge for the Cyclones.

The only goal of the second period came at 18:54, as Beauregard took the puck off the left wall and drifted into the high slot and snapped off a shot over the glove hand of Ryan Nie-to give Cincinnati a 3-1 edge. The unassisted goa was the first of his professional career.

The Cyclones extended the lead to 4-1, when Mathieu Aubin picked up his first tally of the postseason from Jason Deitsch and Ryan Russell. The lead extended to 5-1, when Beauregard netted his second goal of the night from Desharnais and Latendresse. Johnstown closed out the scoring with Ryan Garlock's goal at 17:37. Cincinnati outshot the Chiefs, 22-21, for the game.

This was the opening game of the best-of-seven North Division semifinals. The Cyclones (55-12-5) were the North Division, American Conference and Brabham Cup (best overall ECHL regular season record) champions. Johnstown (36-30-6), which is seeded fourth, upended fifth-seeded Dayton in a two game sweep earlier this week to advance to this round. The second contest (Game 'B') will be played tomorrow night-Saturday, April 12-at 7:30pm.

The winner of this semifinals series will meet the winner of the Elmira vs. Reading series that also began tonight. Elmira won that contest, 1-0, with a third period goal from Bruce Watson.

Tickets for all Cyclones games can be purchased at the U.S. Bank Arena box office, all Ticketmaster outlets including select Kroger stores, charge by phone at 513-562-4949 or online at ticketmaster.com. The most up-to-date information and broadcast of the games can be found on our website www.cycloneshockey.com.

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