Cyclones and Checkers to mix it up

CINCINNATI, Ohio- The Charlotte Checkers meet the Cincinnati Cyclones in the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the first time. Charlotte features a veteran squad with playoff experience, a solid corps of blueliners and Ryan Munce in goal.
 

Dispatching the Toledo Walleye in four games was no easy task. Having come from behind down the stretch to win the Conference title was not easy either.
 
Goaltender Munce was named SAVER of the Month for March. Aaron Slatengren has six assists in four games this playoffs and Mike Taylor has three goals with two assists for five points. Munce has faced one-hundred-twenty shots allowing only thirteen goals in four games.
 
Cyclones Captain Barret Ehgoetz leads a Cyclones squad with plenty of talent and drive to match up with the Checkers. The offense can explode for a three goal period or can plug away at a close overtime tussle for a win. Rookies populate the offense though Coach Chuck Weber has select veterans throughout his team. Rookie Goaltender Jeremy Smith leads all netminders with a 1.60 goals against average through five playoff games for the ‘Clones.
 
Smith has made spectacular saves to keep the Cyclones on top of the series against South Carolina.
 
The offense has been provided by Ehgoetz, Dustin Sproat and Matt Pierce, with timely goals thrown in by a variety of other players.
 
Defensively the Cyclones have been playing with only five blueliners due to Call Up and injury. Veteran Doug Krantz and second year pro Brock Sheahan have done an admirable job in the Cyclones zone.
 
Brian O’Hanley has chipped in some timely power play offense and aggressive defensive play this postseason. The Cyclones will need to better control the puck and avoid turnovers in this series.
 
The Cyclones can win this series with continued solid goaltending ,focused defense and timely offense by following Coach Webers system. Charlotte has veteran advantage and solid netminding in their corner. This will likely be a six or seven game series given the tenacity of both teams.
 
Game one and two are Friday and Saturday night in Charlotte. Games three and four will move to US Bank Arena in Cincinnati on Wednesday and Friday of next week.
 
Contact Rob.Huelsman@prohockeynews.com