CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Cincinnati Cyclones defeated the Charlotte Checkers to advance to the American Conference Finals in game seven, with a final score of 2-1. For the first time in the Semifinal, the Cyclones scored the first goal. With 7:14 left in the opening stanza, Mark VanGuilder redirected a pass to the right post and backhanded a marker behind Checkers netminder Ryan Munce. 
No further scoring in the period as the Cyclones took a 1-0 lead after one. The Cyclones scored on a power play to add to their lead at 4:40 into the second stanza. Mark VanGuilder scored a pair of goals, to begin the tallies in this contest. Goalie Jeremy Smith made spectacular save after save. The Cyclones penalty killers shut down all three of the Charlotte power plays to this point in the game. Smith faced the onslaught with aplomb, frustrating the opposition. On the next Charlotte power play, with Smith interfered with, the Checkers cut the lead in half. After two periods the score was 2-1 Cyclones. The third period was a furious onslaught, as most of the period was played in the Cyclones end. Smith was stellar in the final ten minutes of the contest. A seventh game win on the road, was a solid performance by Chuck Weber’s squad. This was an exciting and nerve wracking series for the fans, as it see sawed back and forth. Momentum swings were wild and frequent, with the Cyclones Smith the hero of the series in the net, accompanied by timely scoring from his teammates. Solid defense was evident on both sides. An interesting note to this playoff run is the fact the Cyclones remains undefeated in odd numbered games. The Cyclones have advanced to the conference finals three seasons in a row. Game one of the conference finals will begin Friday, against the Reading Royals at US Bank Arena.
Contact the writer and photographer at Rob.Huelsman@prohockeynews.com
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