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jevers
Administrator
USA
1367 Posts |
 Posted - 03/31/2012 : 11:30:00 PM
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Cyclones End Season with 3-2 OT Thriller over Chicago
CINCINNATI , Ohio – For the 16th time this season, the Cincinnati Cyclones (35-28-2-7) orchestrated another thrilling comeback victory over the Chicago Express (34-27-7-4), as Mathieu Aubin netted the game-winning goal in overtime to give his team a 3-2 triumph in front of 6,123 at U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday night. Unfortunately, with a Reading Royals victory as well tonight, Cincinnati was eliminated from playoff contention.
Despite having only four shots on net in the opening period, it was Chicago who claimed a 1-0 lead as Mike Embach’s shot from the right circle deflected past Brian Foster (W, 17 saves, 16-11-1-1) at 18:02. At the first intermission, the Express took the one goal cushion into the locker room.
Chicago extended its lead to 2-0 just 5:08 into the middle stanza, as Chaz Johnson one-timed a shot past Foster. However, Cincinnati was able to respond as Dan Eves dug for a loose puck along the goal line and buried his 18th goal of the season past Express net minder Rob Madore (L, 49 saves, 8-3-1-1) to make it a 2-1 game after 40 minutes.
As they have done several other times this season, Cincinnati was able to orchestrate another thrilling comeback. After going on the power play at 17:08 of the third period, the Cyclones pulled the goalie to utilize a two-man advantage – and it worked. At 17:49, Anthony Luciani caught a pass and backhanded a shot over Madore to knot things at two as regulation wound down.
With neither team able to end the game before the horn, the season finale was to be decided in overtime. Just like in the third period, the Express were whistled for a penalty, giving Cincinnati’s man-advantage unit one more chance to strike. In the four-on-three situation, Matt Sisca fed Aubin in the low rim of the left circle and he stick handled by Madore and lofted the game-winning strike into the net at 3:34 of the extra session. It was Aubin’s team-leading fifth game-winning goal of the season.
Unfortunately, due to a Reading Royals victory over the Trenton Titans tonight, the Cyclones were eliminated from postseason contention. With Chicago in need of a win to clinch a spot of their own, the Express also had their season come to an end tonight.
The Cyclones will return to the ice at U.S. Bank Arena in mid-October as the 2012-13 ECHL season unfolds. Throughout the summer, Cincinnati will once again host the Meijer Concrete Clones Tour, which will begin in June. Details, dates, and times will be announced soon on CyclonesHockey.com. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the offseason on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).
http://www.cycloneshockey.com/news/699/cyclones-end-season-with-3-2-ot-thriller-over-chicago/
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bags
(Person With Nothing Better To Do!)
USA
2224 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2012 : 10:46:12 AM
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Here is the take from the Chicago website:
Playoff hopes dashed by 3-2 OT loss to Cincinnati
By: Bob Mills
March 31, 2012
Cincinnati, OH - The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL and proud affiliate of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, fell in the waning minutes of overtime by a 3-2 score to have their playoffs hopes dashed by Cincinnati at the U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday night.
Cincinnati came out flying in the first period, peppering G Rob Madore with 9 shots within the first five minutes of the first period. After Madore denied a penalty shot attempt by LW Garrett Wilson, the Express began to turn the tide back the other way. With less than two minutes left in the period, F Mike Embach put Chicago ahead. Embach stole an outlet pass in the neutral zone raced in along the right wing, and snapped a shot at the front of the net. The shot was partially blocked by a Cincinnati defenseman, popped up in the air, and floated over the shoulder of G Brian Foster to put the Express up 1-0 at the first break. The Cyclones outshot Chicago 16-4 in the opening frame.
RW Chaz Johnson stretched the Chicago lead to 2-0 over Cincinnati 5:08 into the second stanza. F Anthony picked up his own rebound, circled around the net, and fed a pass to Johnson, who blasted a one-timer past Foster. The Cyclones were able crack the scoresheet later on in the frame, cutting the Chicago lead to 2-1. A broken play saw a puck bounce toward the left post, and F Dan Eves was right there to redirect the puck mere inches over the goal line. The Express continued to lead 2-1 after the middle frame.
The Express continued to hold the one goal advantage through the majority of the third stanza, but a late power play helped Cincinnati force overtime. With the goaltender pulled for a 6-on-4 advantage, F Anthony Luciani finished off a terrific passing play to even the score at 2-2 and force overtime with just 2:11 left in the game.
Another late power play, this time in overtime would spell the doom for Chicago's season. With the 4-on-3 advantage, RW Mathieu Aubin found himself all alone on the left post, made one quick move, and buried his chance to sink Chicago 3-2 in overtime. Chicago finished tied with the Royals in overall points, but with the Royals owning the tie-breaker against Chicago the Express will fall one point shy of a playoff birth. |
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