NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — The defending Kelly Cup Champions and the Cincinnati Cyclones played an epic five game series that concluded tonight with the third straight overtime game. Cincinnati’s won 3-2 when Barret Ehgoetz beat losing goaltender Todd Ford on a power play at the 16:15 mark of OT. It was his second goal of the game.
The Cyclones won the five game series three games to two. They did so by riding the outstanding play of rookie goaltender Jeremy Smith. The 20 year old Michigander who played last season in the Ontario Hockey League made marvelous save after save to keep the game close and stymie South Carolina throughout this game and the whole series.
Cincinnati has now eliminated the Rays from the playoffs twice in the last three years. Both times the elimination came in an OT game. Last year the Stingrays eliminated the Cyclones on their way to winning the Kelly Cup.
The intensity of the rivalry and a fifth and deciding game started early as defensemen Nate Kiser of the ‘Rays and forward Hans Benson of the Cyclones got involved in a pregame shoving match during warm-ups. Cooler heads prevailed as the incident ended without escalating. In the ECHL there are no officials on the ice during pregame warm-ups so no penalties resulted although the ECHL may review the pre-game festivities.
The Cyclones came out in the first period with heavy pressure placing a quick four shots on goal. The last of the four shots went in at the 2:46 mark. Ehgoetz cashed in on a turnover for his first goal of the game with assists going to Josh Heidinger and Mathieu Aubin. The Cyclones held a major territorial advantage for the first ten minutes as they stymied the ‘Rays on almost every attempted breakout.
The Stingrays’ top line of Trent Campbell, Keith Johnson and Greg Johnson had been very quiet this series but they picked a good time to come alive. The Cyclones couldn’t clear their defensive zone as Kiser was able to keep a clearing attempt inside the zone. The puck went to Gregg Johnson who got it to Tent Campbell behind the Cyclones net. He in turn centered it for a one timer by Keith Johnson. He used a low slot to beat Smith. The goal came at 7:08.
Most of the rest of the first period featured the same type of goal tending seen most of the series as Smith made a number of highlight reel saves and Todd Ford in goal for South Carolina responded in kind. The Cyclones almost benefitted when Referee Tim Mayer called two penalties that gave the Cyclones a five on three advantage for 1:22 of the period late in the stanza.
The Rays killed of both penalties despite heavy Cyclones’ pressure. South Carolina got a late period power play but the period ended 1-1 as the Cyclones killed off 47 seconds at the end of the period.
Cincinnati was able to kill off the remaining 1:13 of the minor penalty that carried over into the second period. The one major chance on the power play came when K. Johnson rang the iron behind the Smith.
The Rays’ first actual shot on goal in period two surprised Smith and gave the home team a 2-1 lead just after the Cyclones’ carryover penalty expired. Rookie Derek Keller launched a wrist shot from the point low along the ice that changed direction as it hit off of a defender and jumped up and over Smith’s glove side. Jeff Caister and Matt Scherer got the helpers.
Perhaps the teams were simply tired playing their third game in three nights. The second period opened up as the tight checking play in the last two games seemed to fade away. Both teams went end to end with opportunities although as had been the case all series long a bouncing puck, an errant pass or a defensive deflection kept several seemingly can’t miss plays off the scoreboard. The period ended with South Carolina holding a 2-1 lead.
The third period produced an early power play opportunity for Cincinnati but the ‘Rays and especially center Jake Hauswirth were able to kill off the minor denying the Cyclones any shots on their two minute advantage. Hauswirth had been a healthy scratch in the first two games but played excellently last night in his pro playoff debut.
Cincinnati used a turnover at 14:28 as Jimmy Kilpatrick shot a laser past Ford to gain the 2-2 tie that sent the final game into the third straight overtime of this series. Kiser’s errant pass was intercepted by Dustin Sproat and he and Matt Pierce combined to set up the Kilpatrick rifle shot. The 2-2 score held up and extra time was again required.
The OT was beyond exciting. The Rays’ ended up with an early five on three power play advantage but could not score on Smith. Both Smith and the goal posts prevented several good opportunities. The Cyclones then missed on their fifth power play of the night. Matt Scherer and Dylan Yeo made two great blocks as the ‘Rays held on.
The pattern of missing sure goals continued as the ‘Rays Trevor Bruess coming out of the penalty box had an open net but his shot somehow got deflected. Next South Carolina failed on a power play as the Cyclones killed off the fifth power play on the night by the ‘Rays.
The marathon finally ended when Ehgoetz scored on the sixth Cincinnati power play, this one awarded at the 4:02 mark. A boarding call against Matt Scherer provided the impetus the Cyclones needed to score the game winner as Ehgoetz got helpers from Aubin and Kilpatrick to send the crowd of 1,946 home and the Cyclones to Charlotte.
The Cyclones’ move on to face the Charlotte Checkers in the semi -final round of the American Conference playoffs starting next Friday. The Checkers who eliminated the Toledo Walleye earlier today to win their series 3-1 will have home ice advantage as the higher seeded team in the conference.
Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
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