ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Cyclones Win Kelly Cup

Published on June 5, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


INCINNATI - The Cincinnati Cyclones netted a pair of third period goals to break a 1-1 tie and give the club a 3-1 win over Las Vegas on Thursday night. The victory gave the Cyclones their first-ever Kelly Cup championship with the triumph. Cedrick Desjardins stopped 30 shots in the win, while Jean-Michel Daoust added a pair of assists.

The crowd of 12,722 was the largest in ECHL playoff history and pushed the Cyclones attendance for the postseason to 54,289-the eleventh biggest total in league history. Cincinnati has averaged 4935 for the playoffs and finished 95.6 percent better than its regular season average of 2523 fans per contest.

It is the first time in 35 years that a Cincinnati pro hockey team has competed in its league finals. The last team to compete for a championship was the 1973 Cincinnati Swords, which captured the AHL's Calder Cup in five games over Nova Scotia. It was the first time since April 3, 1955-that a champion from the Queen City was crowned in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Mohawks won a seventh game against the Troy Bruins for the IHL's Turner Cup championship.

The Cyclones opened the scoring 15:58 into the game, when during a four-on-four situation, right wing Jean-Michel Daoust netted his sixth goal of the playoffs. Daoust took a drop pass in the slot from David Desharnais. Daoust shot went upstairs over the shoulder of Kevin Lalande. The shots on goal favored Las Vegas, 13-9, in the opening period.

Las Vegas leveled the scores at 1-1, as Adam Cracknell netted his ninth goal of the playoffs. Cracknell's goal was assisted by Jason Krischuk and Chris Ferraro on the power play. Las Vegas had five man advantage opportunities in the frame-including two chances for 1:43 with a two-man edge. Cincinnati had one chance on the power play for 18 seconds in the period.

Cyclones goaltender Cedrick Desjardins' streak of 132 minutes, 25 seconds of shutout time against Las Vegas came to an end with the Cracknell goal.

The Cyclones scored a pair of third period goals from Matt Syroczynski (eighth) and Jon Gleed (second) in closing out the scoring.

The teams are competing for the Kelly Cup, presented annually by the ECHL to its playoff champion. This is the 20th season of operation for the ECHL and the Cyclones first trip to the Finals series. Cincinnati swept Johnstown in four games, knocked off Reading in seven games and defeated South Carolina in five games to reach this series. Las Vegas dropped Stockton in six games, Alaska in five games and swept Utah to reach the Kelly Cup Finals. It is the first-ever Finals trip for the Wranglers as well.

The series marks the first time in ECHL history that two John Brophy Trophy winners (ECHL Coach of the Year) have faced one another for the championship. Cyclones Head Coach Chuck Weber won the award this season and Glen Gulutzan of Las Vegas captured the award in 2005-06.

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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