CINCINNATI , Ohio – The first game of this series showed the offensive firepower that the Cyclones can generate when they are playing well. South Carolina tallied first on a power play goal by Michael Dubuc early in the first. The Cyclones answered with an even strength goal by Barret Ehgoetz to knot the score at one apiece. The first ended in the tie but that was no precursor to the action in the second period and beyond. Late in the period, with the score still tied, Matt Pierce of the Cyclones dove for the puck in the South Carolina end. He then passed it in one motion to Jimmy Kilpatrick who beat goal tender Todd Ford with a ten-foot wrister for the game winning goal. From that point onward, the Cyclones offense took over the game.
Brian O’Hanley scored two minutes after Kilpatrick to increase the lead to two. Before the period could end, Kilpatrick added his second tally of the period to set the lead at three.
The third period saw the Cyclones play solid defense, as South Carolina tried to pick up the pace and get back into the game. The home team was having none of that, as they managed to put two more markers up before the game end.
Dustin Sproat tallied a goal after exiting the penalty box and streaking in to bury another one past Ford. All totaled, the score finished at 6-1 in favor of the Cincinnatians.
Game two is April seventh and is another must win game for the ‘Clones. The Cyclones need to head south holding a two game edge to have a good chance to win the series on foreign ice.
Contact the writer at Rob.Huelsman@prohockeynews.com
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