ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Cyclones Lose To Charlotte, 2-1

Published on February 26, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


CINCINNATI - The Charlotte Checkers handed the Cincinnati Cyclones their first regulation time loss in eleven games in a 2-1 win at U.S. Bank Arena on Friday night. Julien Brouillette's power play goal early in the third period broke the tie. Ryan Munce stopped 30 shots in taking the victory for the Checkers.

The Cyclones have been exceptional in the month of February, posting a 9-1-2 mark. Cincinnati has outscored its opponents, 38-21, during this run. The squad had a one point lead in the North Division on February 1 and has now extended that to ten over Kalamazoo despite the loss. The Cyclones are 8-1-2 in their eleven games at U.S. Bank Arena dating back to January 25.

The crowd of 6164 pushed the Cyclones season attendance to 113,183-an average of 3651 per game. It was the ninth time this season that Cincinnati has attracted in excess of 5000 for a game. The Cyclones sit 16th in the ECHL in attendance, 25.9 percent ahead of last season's pace through 31 home games. Cincinnati, which has finished first or second in attendance percentage improvement in each of the prior two seasons, has attracted more fans than it did through the 36 games of the regular season a year ago (111,750). The club has drawn more fans through the turnstiles in the regular season-with five more dates left in 2009-10-than any campaign since 2002-03 (when 131,144 attended).

There was no scoring in the first period, but Cincinnati had two power play chances that went unconverted. The Cyclones won the shots on goal battle in the opening 20 minutes, 9-8.

The teams exchanged goals in the middle frame. Cincinnati netted the first goal of a hockey game for the league-high 35th time this season. Off a faceoff in the Charlotte end, defenseman Scott Marchesi ripped his third goal of the season on a one-timer. Mark Van Guilder won the draw and Marchesi picked it up in the left wing area and netted the lamp lighter. Charlotte would even the scores with a shorthanded goal at 16:06 from defenseman Kevin Schaeffer. The third goal of the season for Schaeffer was assisted by Mike Taylor. The shots in the second period favored Cincinnati, 13-4. A major boarding call against Van Guilder would give the Checkers a 3:28 power play early in the third period.

Charlotte scored the lone goal of the third period on that extended power play when Julien Brouillette netted his twelfth goal at 3:26. Matt Schepke and Tyler Doig had the assists. Cincinnati had chances in the waning seconds with a power play and the goaltender pulled for a six-on-four chance but was unable to convert. The shots again went decisively to the Cyclones, 9-3 and for the game, 31-15.

Ryan Munce took the win for Charlotte, turning aside 30 shots and collecting his 15th win. Jeremy Smith took the loss, turning away 13 shots. The Checkers were one for four on the power play, while the Cyclones were zero for five with the man-advantage.

Cincinnati is 36-18-3, while Charlotte is 30-17-6. The five game home stand for the Cyclones yields to a six game road swing that will keep the club away from U.S. Bank Arena until the re-scheduled game with Johnstown on Thursday, March 18 at 7:30pm. The club is at Johnstown tomorrow night (7pm at www.cycloneshockey.com), while Charlotte will travel to Kalamazoo for a pair of contests against the Wings on Saturday and Sunday.

Cincinnati leads the North Division with 75 points. Kalamazoo is second with 65, while Toledo is third at 62 and Wheeling rounds out the division with 59 points. The Cyclones have led the North Division for 52 days this season and for 313 days over the past three-plus seasons. Cincinnati's ‘magic number' to clinching a playoff berth is now at 16.

Tickets for the 2009-10 Cincinnati Cyclones season are now on sale. The Cyclones Sales Department can be reached at 513-421-PUCK, extension 3. Selected Friday night games are carried on 1530-AM Homer, while all 72 regular season games can be heard on the club's website at: www.cycloneshockey.com. The next game on ESPN 1530 will come next Friday (March 5), when the Cyclones travel to the defending Kelly Cup champion South Carolina Stingrays at 7pm.

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ECHL Stories from February 26, 2010


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