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ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Cyclones Use Big Second Period In 6-1 Win

April 6, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Cincinnati Cyclones claimed a 6-1 win over the South Carolina Stingrays to grab a one game to none lead in the best of five Kelly Cup playoffs series on Tuesday night at U.S. Bank Arena. Brian O'Hanley led the attack with two goals and an assist, while Jimmy Kilpatrick also had a pair of goals for the Cyclones. Jeremy Smith turned aside 31 shots in the triumph. A three goal second period explosion blew the game open.

O'Hanley, who scored three of his seven regular season goals against the Stingrays, scored the insurance goal in the second period and closed the game with a score with 26 seconds to play. He also finished plus-three on the evening.

South Carolina, which posted a 41-19-12 record-tied for the South Division and American Conference titles, is meeting the Cyclones (44-25-3-second in the North Division) in the Kelly Cup playoffs for the third straight year. In 2008, Cincinnati knocked off the Stingrays in a five-game conference championship series en route to taking the Kelly Cup. Last year, the Stingrays swept the Cyclones in the conference finals to capture their third league title. South Carolina is the fourth-seeded team, while Cincinnati is the fifth-seed.

The teams exchanged goals in the opening period. South Carolina started the scoring with a power play goal 4:07 into the contest. Michael Dubuc's shot from the top of the right circle came courtesy of Nikita Kashirsky and Johann Kroll. Cincinnati would answer when the captain Barret Ehgoetz notched his first goal of the postseason from inside the left circle at 11:41. Hans Benson and Mathieu Aubin had the helpers. The shots favored the Stingrays, 11-8, in the period.

The Cyclones blew the game open in the second period with three goals to grab a 4-1 edge at the second intermission. Jimmy Kilpatrick's first goal of the playoffs put the club ahead 2-1. Matt Pierce and Benson had the assists at 13:45. Less than two minutes later, Brian O'Hanley on a two-on-one break finished with a drive from the right face off circle for his first of the playoffs at 15:27. Benson and Ehgoetz had the helpers. Kilpatrick's second of the night came a bit more than two minutes later at 17:36. O'Hanley fired a shot from just inside the blue line and Kilpatrick in the high slot area deflected the puck into the ice and bounced it past South Carolina goaltender Todd Ford. Dustin Sproat added the second assist. The shots favored the Stingrays, 12-10, in the period.

In the third period, the Cyclones netted another pair of goals. The lead extended to 5-1 when Dustin Sproat raced up the right side-taking a pass from Brock Sheahan on his backhand and shielding a defender with his body as he reached the top of the goal crease. Sproat slipped the puck to his forehand and slipped it past Ford, just inside the left post at 7:38. The final goal came from O'Hanley-his second of the night-at 19:34. The shot came from the left face off circle from Sproat and Will Ortiz, who picked up his first pro point in just his second game. The shots favored the Stingrays, 9-7, in the period and 32-25 for the game.

Cincinnati was zero-for-one on the power play, while South Carolina was one-for-two. Jeremy Smith took the victory for the Cyclones, making 31 saves. Todd Ford took the loss, stopping 19 shots.

The winner of this series will play the winner of top-seeded Charlotte and eighth-seeded Toledo. Toledo leads that best of five series, one game to none, following a 7-2 win in the Glass City tonight.

The next game of the Cincinnati Cyclones USA Collision Centers postseason will be the second game of this best of five series, played at U.S. Bank Arena on Wednesday night (April 7) at 7:30pm. The game will be carried on the internet at www.cycloneshockey.com.

Tickets for the 2010-11 Cincinnati Cyclones season are now on sale. A special open house on Tuesday, April 13 from 4-8pm will allow fans a chance to see the facility up close and even skate on the ice. The Cyclones Sales Department can be reached at 513-421-PUCK, extension 3. All road Kelly Cup playoff games will be carried on ESPN 1530 and on the club's website at: www.cycloneshockey.com.

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