Cyclones Shutout Devils 2-0
December 20, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release
Trenton, NJ, December 20, 2009 - The Cyclones defeated the Devils, 2-0, Sunday evening at SunCenter, sweeping the three game series. Rookie goaltender Robert Mayer recorded his first professional shutout with a 34 save performance. Maxime Lacroix recorded his first goal and point in a Cincinnati uniform, while Mark Van Guilder assisted on both goals of the game.
Saturday's comeback intensity carried though the first period (the Devils outshooting the Cyclones 13-7), however, the Devils' energy would eventually lead to penalty trouble later in the game. Three consecutive Devils penalties and an 18-8 shot advantage for Cincinnati put the Cyclones up, 2-0, midway in the second period. Goals five minutes were produced by extra-man chances for Cincinnati.
Kory Nagy's holding penalty had expired one second before Dwayne Zinger redirected Van Guilder's pinpoint pass across the crease at 7:53 of the second period for the first goal of the game. Though not statistically a power play goal, Cincinnati's sustained puck control eventually wore down the Devils' second penalty kill of the game. Van Guilder and Barret Ehgoetz set up Lacroix's power play goal at 12:39 for a 2-0 Cincinnati lead on a scramble in the crease just 30 seconds into the five-on-four opportunity.
Maxime Lacroix started the season with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL, recording just one assist and two PIM in 16 games before being assigned to the Cyclones on December 6. The Washington Capitals draft pick scored 33 goals in 63 games with the South Carolina Stingrays last season.
The Devils ended the first and second periods with power play opportunities but could not solve the Cyclones' penalty kill. Having won only twice this season when allowing the game's first goal, Trenton's offense could not replicate the comebacks from Thursday and Saturday. Neither team was able to score in the third, each team receiving one power play in the period. Trenton went zero-for-five for the evening while Cincinnati converted one of six.
Gerald Coleman made 30 saves in the loss giving him a record of 5-6-1-3 for the season. The Devils suffered their fourth shutout of the season and the 11th time they've outshot their opponent, losing each time. The Devils (9-14-2-4, 24pts) remain in third place in the East as Cincinnati (17-10-0-1, 35pts) has now won eight of its last ten games. The teams clash one more time this season, January 6 at Cincinnati. Four of the five meetings this season have been won by the Cyclones, with the Devils' lone win coming at the expense of Mayer, who made just 12 saves in a 4-2 loss on November 18. Trenton next makes its first trip to Johnstown, for a Saturday night game against the Chiefs.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from December 20, 2009
- Chiefs Nipped By Jackals - Johnstown Chiefs
- Everblades Shuffle Roster - Florida Everblades
- Cyclones Shutout Devils 2-0 - Trenton Devils
- Jackals Defeat Chiefs In Thriller At First Arena - Elmira Jackals
- Cyclones Head To Holidays In First Following 2-0 Win - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Winning Streak Comes To An End In 4-2 Loss To Checkers - South Carolina Stingrays
- Checkers Snap Stingrays' Win Streak - Charlotte Checkers
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Stingrays Gameday: Stingrays Head To Charlotte; Wrap Up Series Today - South Carolina Stingrays
- Reign Falls To Wranglers, 2-1 - Ontario Reign
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
