Cyclones advance to North Division Finals after double OT win

Posted by CincyRedhawk on 21. April 2009 10:12

With their backs against the wall, the defending Kelly Cup Champions pulled out a big win to advance back to the North Division Finals for the second consecutive year.  The home town Cyclones struck first when Felix Petit was able to sneak the puck past Wheeling netminder Curtis Darling at the 9:45 mark of the first period Wheeling evened the score at 1 3:22 into the second period when the Nailers pushed the puck past Loic Lacasse aftter he appeared to have made the stop.  Regulation ended with the score tied at 1-1.

From that point on, the game became a duel of the netminders.  Spectacular save after save from each goalie.  The momentum in the first overtime period was on the side of the Nailers as they controlled puck possession and shots for the period.  Lacasse made several blocker saves, and near the end of the overtime period mad back to back diving stops to keep the puck out of the net.  At the end of the overtime period both teams survived being shorthanded to send the game to a second overtime.

In the second overtime it was all Cyclones.  The Clones outshot the Nailers 12-0 in the period.  Darling made 4 unbelievable saves during the period, at one point making a glove save lying flat on his back.  It was starting to look like it was going to be impossible to get a puck past him. At the 3:48 mark of the period Matt Syroczynski did what seemed impossible and sent the puck into the twine to complete the series.  The crowd of just under 3,000 fans errupted as their defending champion Cyclones pulled out the thrilling victory.

I don't know how much more overtime in an elimination game I can take.  After being at the game in Washington D.C. watching Miami go down last weekend on a fluke bounce to BU and the Cyclones going to double overtime my nerves are shot.  The thrill is well worth it!

The Cyclones play this weekend at home on both Friday and Saturday nights against the winner of the Elmira vs. Trenton game 7 tonight.  If you're in town and looking for something to do, go out and support Cincinnati's playoff team in their pursuit of another cup!

Cincy's only playoff team needs a win at home

Posted by Number 1 fan on 20. April 2009 16:25

The only championship and current playoff team (professional) in Cincinnati needs to get the job done tonight at home against the Wheeling Nailers.  Last seasons Kelly Cup champions have split the series 3 all after giving up the last three home games.  The Cyclones have all their wins on the road in this series.

In the last game the Nailers went up early on the Cyclones scoring 4 goals in the opening period.

If you have nothing to do tonight, roll on down to USBank arena and cheer on the best professional team in Cincinnati in recent history.

Also, if you bump into CincyRedhawk (one of our writers) make him buy you a beer.  He is still reeling from his Miami team giving up the game in the final minute for the college championship.