ELMIRA, NY – Showing why they are the ECHL’s defending champions, the Cincinnati Cyclones rode the goaltending of Ryan Nie to a 2-0 victory over the Elmira Jackals and completed a four game sweep of their North Division Final series. Improving their road record in this post season to 5-0, the Cyclones now sit and wait to see who their next opponent will be as they will face the winner of the Florida Everblades-South Carolina Stingrays series for the American Conference title.
With 25 seconds to play in the first period, the Cyclones would get all the offense they would need when Dustin Sproat scored his seventh goal of the 2009 playoffs assisted by Gerard Miller and Jimmy Kilpatrick. The Cyclones outshot the Jackals 12-7 in the first but were unable to take advantage of three power play opportunities. The second stanza was a scoreless one keeping the Jackals in the game.
Cincinnati would add insurance just over four minutes into the third period when Kyle Rank scored his second goal in as many games. The Cyclones had four more man up chances in the final 20 minutes but could not extend their lead yet really didn’t need to as Nie was perfect in net, stopping all 24 shots thrown at him as he earned his second straight first star of the game award. The Jackals Michael Teslak was solid in net as well, making 31 saves but did not get any support from his offense in this elimination game.
For the Jackals, a quick end to their post season run while in Cincinnati, their eyes are focused on bringing home that second straight Kelly Cup.
Contact the author at tom.hoffman@prohockeynews.com Catch all the playoffs at Intotheboards.net
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