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ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Cyclones Win Third Straight over Walleye, 5-2

April 10, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


CINCINNATI, Ohio - Rookie Josh Birkholz scored a pair of goals and Michael Houser turned aside 35 shots as the Cincinnati Cyclones (3-0 playoffs) defeated the Toledo Walleye (0-3 playoffs) in front of 1,663 at U.S. Bank Arena on Wednesday night. The win extended Cincinnati's series lead to 3-0 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

While both teams were scoreless for the first 18:57 of the game, Toledo controlled much of the action and outshot the Cyclones 16-10 in the opening frame. Michael Houser (W, 35 saves, 3-0) made several spectacular saves to prevent the Walleye from getting the game's first goal. As the period came to a close, Toledo defenseman Joey Ryan was whistled for high-sticking and Cincinnati took advantage. While on the power play, Charles-Olivier Roussel received a pass across the slot from Mike Embach and sent it past the pads of Toledo net minder Kent Simpson (L, 24 saves, 0-3). The score gave the home team a 1-0 lead that they carried into the first intermission.

The Walleye evened the score at one goal apiece early in the second when Travis Novak rushed down the ice and fed a last second pass across the goal crease to Max Nicastro - who flipped the puck by the outstretched glove of Houser at 6:59. The Cyclones would quickly regain the lead, though, just 1:27 later. Justin Vaive fought for a puck in front of the Toledo goal and was able to tap it to Josh Birkholz. The Cincinnati forward slid to his right and fired a wrist shot by Simpson to put his team back in front by a 2-1 score. Both teams went scoreless for the remainder of the second period and the Cyclones enjoyed the one goal edge through 40 minutes.

Cincinnati wasted little time getting back on the board in the final period. As Simpson misplayed a puck outside of his net, Mathieu Aubin collected the rebound and stashed his first goal of the playoffs at 7:20, making it a 3-1 game. With the strike, he pulled into a tie for second on the club's all-time playoff goal scoring list. Birkholz followed with a beautiful tally as he raced down the right wing, cut behind the net, and wrapped in his second lamp lighter of the game to give the Cyclones a commanding 4-1 lead. Toledo's Byron Froese pulled his team to within a pair in the final minute with a power play goal. But Brian O'Hanley chipped in an empty netter that traveled the length of the ice to seal a 5-2 victory for Cincinnati.

The Cyclones Radio Network Stars of the Game are as follows:

First Star: Josh Birkholz (2 goals for Cincinnati)

Second Star: Michael Houser (35 saves for Cincinnati)

Third Star: Charles-Olivier Rousel (1 goal for Cincinnati)

After an off day tomorrow, the Cyclones will return to U.S. Bank Arena for Game 4 of the series on Friday, April 12 at 7:30pm! The game will feature $1 John Morrell Hot Dogs! Call 513.421.PUCK or visit CyclonesHockey.com to reserve your seats! On-air coverage of the action can be heard on the Cyclones Radio Network (FM 100 The FAN, America One, CyclonesHockey.com) starting at 7:15pm. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).

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