ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Syroczynski's Two Goals Not Enough In 5-3 Loss

April 24, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


READING, Pennsylvania - A pair of third period shorthanded goals by the Reading Royals proved too much in a 5-3 win over the Cincinnati Cyclones on Thursday night. It was the first game of the North Division Finals, a best of seven series. Defenseman Patrik Herlsey had a goal and two assists to pace Reading. Cyclones forward Matt Syroczynski had a pair of power play goals in the defeat.

Reading opened the scoring just 62 seconds into the game. Third year forward Dany Roussin snapped off his fourth goal of the postseason from Chris Blight and Patrick Jarrett. The goal was the result of a double minor penalty for high sticking to the Cyclones David Desharnais. The Royals had four power play chances in the opening frame and spent more than seven and a half on the power play. Reading outshot Cincinnati, 9-6, in the frame.

The Royals opened a 2-0 edge when Brock Hooton scored 6:08 into the second from Joe Zappala and Kevin Schaeffer. A Matt Syroczynski power play goal in the a lot at 7:29 from Desharnais and Thomas Beauregard closed the gap to 2-1. But Reading would extend the lead to two, 3-1, as Zappala netted his first of the postseason from Patrik Hersley and Jarrett at 13:47 with the man-advantage would re-establish the lead.

The third period began with a shorthanded goal 27 seconds in from Brock Hooton, his second of the night and fourth of the playoffs to open a 4-1 edge. Cincinnati responded with a power play goal from Syroczynski, his second of the night and Olivier Latendresse, his first of the playoffs to close the deficit to 4-3.

With the Cyclones putting heavy pressure on Danny Taylor, Reading's goaltender who has NHL experience this season-Herley came out of the penalty box and scored a shorthanded breakaway goal to seal the 5-3 verdict. Cincinnati outshot the Royals, 17-5, in the third period and 35-25 for the game.

This was the first game of the best-of-seven North Division Finals. It is the third time in team history that the squad has reached this stage of the Kelly Cup playoffs and second straight year that is has occurred. The Cyclones (55-12-5) were the North Division, American Conference and Brabham Cup (best overall ECHL regular season record) champions. Reading (38-26-6), which was seeded third, upended second-seeded Elmira in a six game series that ended Sunday to advance to this round. Game two of the series will be played at Sovereign Center on Saturday, before returnin to U.S. Bank Arena for game three on Monday, April 28 at 7:30pm.

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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