CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Cyclones arrived at their second American Conference Finals in a row in similar fashion to last year’s squad. A sweep and a hard fought seven game series were had in both post season runs toward a Kelly Cup. There were some differences likely to give the Cyclones an appreciation for this second season. The seventh ranked power play and next to last on the penalty kill being the most notable. OFFENSE–The offense scored 16 goals over four games in the previous series, the penalty killing unit added three more for a total of nineteen. Dustin Sproat, Matt Syroczynski, and Mac Faulkner have been sparkplugs for the offense thus far. All lines have been generating offensive support for the netminders in this postseasons eight wins. DEFENSE– Veteran defensemen Matt MacDonald, Mike Salekin, and Gerard Miller along with a cast of young blueliners picked up their game in the first two series. All are giving up the body but not much else to the opposition. This has been a stingy group and winning one on one battles has been their hallmark so far. GOALTENDING– Loic Lacasse and Ryan Nie have been a solid tandem during this year’s playoffs. Lacasse began the first round and Nie picked up when Loic had a rough go. Ryan backstopped the second series against a tough Jackals onslaught. Both goalies have been called upon to make spectacular saves at key times contributing to the Cyclones success. SPECIAL TEAMS–Power Play and Penalty Kill units have been much better than the regular season versions. Most of the season the PK squad languished but has scored key shorthanded tallies in the first two series. The power play has come alive as well. The Clones killed seventeen Elmira power plays in a row in the Sweep of the Jackals. The unit added three shorties (two in one game; a club record) to the total of 19 goals in the series. GAME MANAGEMENT- Both Chuck Weber and assistant Dean Stork emphasize winning one on one battles and playing their system as key to winning playoff hockey. From the first line to the checking line the match-ups won are known to lead to winning a Kelly Cup as proven by last year’s results.
Contact rob.huelsman@prohockeynews.com
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