Cyclones win to force game seven

CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Cyclones have faced two elimination games with the Royals and have come away victorious both nights in Reading. The tilt almost began during warm up as both squads met at center ice with a rather heated discussion. The animosity has grown with each passing game. This elimination game was to be no different. Tempers flared during most of the game as the edginess grew with each succeeding incident.
The Royals scored first, and second to gain a two goal advantage early in the first period. The Cyclones roared back with three unanswered markers, until Reading tied the game at three apiece shortly before period ended.  
Starting Cyclone netminder Robert Mayer was relieved at that point by Jeremy Smith. Smith stoned the visitors to US Bank Arena for the remainder of the game through patience and good positioning. 
In the second, the Cyclone defense suffocated any Royals opportunities that were generated. Meanwhile, the Cyclone offense put two more pucks behind Matt Dalton to gain a deuce of an advantage on the scoreboard. Taking advantage of defensive lapses by the Royals and traffic in front of the Reading net were effective for the home team this night.  
    The ‘Clones have not given up in this series despite the early three game deficit, to now bring on a winner take all, game seven, for the Conference finals round.    
The third period the Royals defense stiffened, but gave up an empty net tally late in the game to make the final score 6-3 in favor of the Cyclones. Again a late game brawl occurred and things needed to be sorted out by the officials resulting in game misconduct penalties being handed out to several individuals from both squads.  
Captain Barret Ehgoetz contributed a pair of markers while Brett Robinson had a three point outing (1 goal and 2 assists). Will Ortiz and Dustin Sproat scored additionally for the ‘Clones.  
Ryan Cruthers, Marc Cavosie and Daniel Steiner scored for Reading during the initial stanza.    
Game seven is Wednesday night in Cincinnati, if the Cyclones pull off the series win it will be just the sixth team in pro hockey to have accomplished the feat.  
The victor of game seven will face the Idaho Steelheads in the Kelly Cup Championships, beginning Friday, May 14 in Boise Idaho.   The Steelheads clinched the National Division Championship tonight in six games over the Stockton Thunder.  
Contact the writer and photographer at Rob.Huelsman@prohockeynews.com