CINCINNATI, Ohio – Game four began as a defensive struggle as both clubs sought to tighten things up after Wednesday night. The opening stanza of the contest at US Bank Arena featured that and more. Neither Ryan Munce nor Jeremy Smith were willing to give up a marker. Things began to heat up.
Then the pot boiled over between Ryan DelMonte of the Cyclones and Andy Carroll of the Checkers. That it took seventeen minutes for this to happen is the amazing part. Carroll agitated and generally made a pest of himself for that long before he got under someone’s skin on the home team.
With less than a minute remaining in the period, Smith suffered a momentary lapse and surrendered the first goal of the tilt. Matt Shepke the responsible party on an intercepted pass and partial breakdown in the Cyclones was unable to get back on defense quickly enough. 
The first fight seemed to energize the visitors more than the Cyclones, the goal deflated the home team. Period two, the Cyclones had quality opportunities but failed to convert any chances until Brett Robinson was pulled down from behind and a penalty shot awarded for the effort.
Scoring the tying marker against Munce elevated the home crowd’s spirits. This was short lived as Charlotte netted another goal in the period by Trevor Hendrikx.
The final period, the Cyclones never got on track. The on again –off again inconsistency returned to bite the home team in the backside as Charlotte netted the final two goals of the contest.
The resiliency seen in Wednesday’s effort evaporated as the Cyclones ran short on scoring 
chances and, more importantly, time.
The simmering feud is now equal at two games apiece. The momentum has shifted again in the Cyclones see-saw season. The fans certainly will get the maximum money’s worth in this series.
Game five at the Arena will be Saturday night.
Which Cyclones team will show up on the ice is anyone’s guess.
Contact Rob Huelsman@prohockeynews.com
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