Cyclones Decimate Checkers 9-5

 

CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Cyclones achieved a split in Charlotte to begin the series. Now it is a best of five series with the majority of the games in Cincinnati. Coming home to the US Bank Arena and a few days rest were sorely needed at this point.
The defense needs to pay attention to detail after the 5-0 thrashing they received in game two. The power play unit has been lacking in production for the Cyclones and needs to come alive before it is too late in the series. Jeremy Smith is carrying the heavy load in goal and doing an admirable job thus far in the playoffs. The ‘Clones need newcomers Josh Heidinger and Will Ortiz to integrate into their respective units smoothly without a loss in production that brought them to the team. The squad needs to dominate here at home to have a shot at winning the series.
Charlotte needs to continue with the more physical style of play, exhibited in game two in order to take two of three on the road. Special teams have been instrumental in scoring for the Checkers. Ryan Munce has been solid in net thus far and shows no signs of deterioration in his game.
 
Game three at US Bank Arena was an old fashioned shootout with a total of fourteen goals scored. The first tally of the night belonged to the ‘Clones power play unit and Max Lacroix at 2:11 of the first period. At 3:15 Aaron Slattengren answered with a Checkers power play tally to even the score at one each. The Cyclones came out edgy and on fire, playing fast and physical, unlike game two.
 
At 7:35 Dustin Sproat fed a pass to Barret Ehgoetz who flipped the puck past Ryan Munce on the short side for an even strength goal to put the Cyclones up 2-1. It was answered by a Charlotte power play goal, knotting the score at two each for the rest of the first stanza.
 
The Second opened with renewed vigor for the visitors, who scored an even strength goal at 1:35 by Matt Stefanishion to take the lead at 3-2. Less than two minutes later the Cyclones Doug Krantz blasted a shot past Munce to even things up again at three apiece.
 
The game became a little chippy with various attempts at sparring that was put down immediately by the officials and good order was maintained. The fans sensed that something was happening to the home team that had not been seen in awhile; a resiliency, a never quit trying attitude showed in their play tonight. Charlotte scored two goals in the period while Cincinnati scored three to end the period with the score 5-4 Cyclones.
 
The final stanza was wild and wide open with the Cyclones having a definite advantage in the scoring department. Ian McKenzie, Jimmy Kilpatrick, Mathieu Aubin and Brett Robinson all scored for the ‘Clones. Ryan Munce was relieved of his duties after the sixth goal, mercifully ending his misery for the night.
 
Goals seven through nine were scored against Garrett Zemlak, the back up net minder. It really didn’t seem to matter who was in net, the Cyclones had the scoring touch this night at the arena.
 
Charlotte scored the final goal of the game, while bulldozing Cyclone net minder Jeremy Smith, requiring Trainer Bob Case to attend to Smith, who stayed in the game to the end.
 
The final tally of 9-5 Cyclones shows how explosive these two teams are. The Cyclones have scored fourteen goals so far in the series and the Checkers have thirteen. Defense has been at a premium for short stints, but offense has been king of the series so far. The Cyclones special teams awoke for this game, scoring three power play goals and two shorthanded goals in the outburst. The penalty kill unit has scored three shorties so far in the post season, after leading the league during the regular season.
 
The next game is Friday, the twenty-third of April and should be another thriller to be sure.
  Contact the Author/Photographer at: Rob.Huelsman@Prohockeynews.com