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jevers
Administrator
USA
1367 Posts |
 Posted - 05/16/2010 : 12:39:25 AM
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BOISE, Idaho - For the second straight night the Cincinnati Cyclones got a goal with under a minute to play and defeat the Idaho Steelheads, 1-0, on Saturday night at Qwest Arena. The victory gives the Cyclones a two games to none lead in the Kelly Cup Finals. Mathieu Aubin's goal with 20.1 seconds remaining was the only score of the evening. It was the fourth time in the playoffs that the Cyclones scored a goal in the final minute or overtime.
The triumph was the 29th road victory in club history for the Cyclones-most ever by an ECHL team. This was the eighth road win of the playoffs for Cincinnati, tying the club record set during 2008. It was also a team record sixth straight victory in the postseason. The team has not dropped a game since losing game three of the conference finals at Reading on May 4.
This was the second game of the 2010 Kelly Cup Finals featuring the American Conference champion Cincinnati Cyclones and the National Conference winner Idaho Steelheads. The best of seven series continues Tuesday night at U.S. Bank Arena with the third game at 7:30pm.
There was no scoring in the first period, but each team had scoring opportunities. The shots in the period were also even, at eight apiece. Idaho had one unconverted power play chance.
There was no scoring in the second period. The defensive chess match between Cincinnati coach Chuck Weber and Idaho coach Derek Laxdal continued. The first shot on goal of the frame did not come until the 8:20 mark from Cincinnati's Mathieu Aubin. The Steelheads had the first shot of the middle period at 10:16. The best scoring chance came when Ian McKenzie had a two on one chance on the left wing side late in the stanza. The shots favored the Cyclones, 9-3, in the period.
The only goal of the game came at 19:39 when Mathieu Aubin snuck a shot from the slot through traffic over the glove hand of Idaho goaltender Rejean Beauchemin. Barret Ehgoetz had the assist on the score, which marked the first time this season that the Steelheads had lost games at Qwest Arena in consecutive nights. The shots in the period favored Cincinnati, 8-7, and for the game the Cyclones had the upper hand in shots at 25-18.
The Cyclones posted a 44-25-3 record in the regular season and entered the postseason as the fifth placed team in the American Conference. Cincinnati upset fourth-seeded and defending Kelly Cup champion South Carolina in the opening round. The best of five series went the full five contests-the last three being decided in overtime, all at Charleston. In the semifinals, the Cyclones went a full seven games before knocking off Charlotte-the regular season American Conference champion. Cincinnati claimed the American Conference championship after rallying from a 3-0 deficit in the series with Reading and winning the final four games to advance.
Idaho had the ECHL's best regular season record with a 48-17-7 mark. The Steelheads enjoyed a first round bye and then swept Utah in four games before dispatching Stockton in six games. Idaho is looking to become the first team in ECHL history to record three Kelly Cup championships in a seven year span.
The series will move to Cincinnati for games three, four and five (if necessary) at U.S. Bank Arena. Game three would be held on Tuesday with a 7:30pm start time. For playoff ticket package holders, this would be Game K. The fourth game would be played on Thursday with another 7:30pm start. This would be Game L for playoff package holders. If a fifth game is needed, it would be played on Friday at 7:30pm. The final possible game in Cincinnati for 2009-10 would be Game M in the playoff ticket package.
The Cyclones are offering a special Kelly Cup ticket package for fans. For $45 fans will be able to purchase tickets to games three, four and five of the championship series. This purchase price will allow fans the same great seats for all three potential games at U.S. Bank Arena and will be available only with phone orders to the Cyclones offices at 513-421-7825 x. 3. These will be on sale until 4pm on Tuesday, which will be the date of the first home game for Cincinnati. Individual tickets for games three and four are on sale now.
Fans attending Tuesday night's game are encouraged to participate in the 'Macaroni & Cheese' promotion. Bring your unopened box of macaroni and cheese and use it as a noisemaker during the evening. When the game is over, barrels will be located around the arena to deposit them. Collected boxes will be turned over to Matthew 25 Ministries to distribute among the flood victims in Nashville.
Tickets for the 2010-11 Cincinnati Cyclones season are now on sale, as well as for this round of the USA Collision Centers playoff chase. 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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