CINCINNATI, OHIO – The Cyclones gained 2nd place in the Midwest Division last evening with a win over the Division leading Ft. Wayne Komets 6-5 in regulation. The set up for tonight is a battle to keep hold of 2nd place by the hometown team. The Evansville Icemen come calling at U.S. Bank Arena tonight looking to gain the edge over the ‘Clones by getting out to a fast start, and stopping the Cyclones momentum gained over the past two games. The power play produced the game winning goal last evening but remains at a 16.2% conversion rate. The recent weeks victories hopefully will help propel the team into a solid playoff position.
The first stanza saw the Cyclones attack Evansville netminder Scott Grenham from point blank range yet no score in the first six minutes. The shots on goal decidedly lopsided at 9-1 in favor of the Cyclones at the eight minute mark of the period. Tommy Mele of Cincinnati had a great scoring opportunity but missed the one-timer. Although tested infrequently, Andy Iles kept the biscuit at bay. Both Cyclones and Icemen traded up ice rushes and took as much ice as either defense would allow.
#40 Nick Huard scored his 14th goal of the season with an assist by Garrett Noonan #28 to give the ‘Clones first blood at 14:05. Huard now has 34 points. More Jostling on the half wall and some mucking and grinding in the corners leads to Evansville missing an odd man break with 90 seconds left in the first. The frame ended with another Cyclones shot on goal by #18 Tommy Mele. Through the initial shots on goal were 13-1 the Cyclones lead 19-7 at the end of 1.
The Cyclones coach, Matt MacDonald, knows that his squad can press the Icemen goalie and find success. The second period begins with icing calls against Cincinnati. A 2 on 2 by the ‘Clones was foiled by Grenham with a great save. Then Andy Iles made an equally acrobatic stretch save. Next Iles made a shoulder save on a quality chance by the Icemen. Cincinnati continued to advance their shots on goal lead at 23-10. A furious scrum in the Evansville slot leads to a pair of opportunities with the ‘Clones unable to capitalize. Cincinnati maintains a 1 goal cushion mid way through the period. Both teams playing good defense and having good goaltending to this point in the contest. Chris Rmble led the next charge toward the Cyclones end. Evansville putting pressure on the Cyclones D. With five minutes left the shot differential was +10 in favor of the home team. Andy Iles has also made some spectacular saves at point blank range. The Icemen continued to throw rubber at Iles till the end of the second period but with no better results, 1-0 Cyclones.
The final period was much of the same as the earlier periods of the game. Evansville began to even the shots on goal and press the Cyclones Defense in order to rattle Andy Iles into being a bit more porous. The Lack of penalties called to this stage in the game was an interesting aside to the contest.
Finally at the 13:15 mark the ‘Clones #23 Joe Wilson fed a blind pass to #24 Zach Budish who, in turn, slid the biscuit past Evansville netminder Grenham to gain the insurance goal and a bit of breathing room. A furious rush by the Icemen surprised the Cyclones but Andy Iles made sure that no goals were to be had by Evansville this night. A Cyclones shutout, the second of the season.
Written by Rob Huelsman with Photography by Jake Murray
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