‘Clones drop rubber match w/’Blades
Posted by UFreak in 
The defending Kelly Cup Champion Cyclones fell in the rubber-match to the Florida Everblades Saturday night, but remain atop their division.
ESTERO, Florida – Ryan Nie stopped 39 shots but it was not enough for the Cincinnati Cyclones in a 3-1 loss at Florida on Saturday night. The defeat ended the Cyclones six game road trip with a 3-3 record, leaving them in first place in the North Division.
There was no scoring in the first period, but Florida dominated the shots on goal—outshooting the Cyclones, 14-2, in the frame. Kevin Baker was loose on a breakaway for the Everblades but Ryan Nie stopped that scoring opportunity.
Florida scored goals 37 seconds apart early in the second period to build a 2-0 lead. Ross Carlson’s eleventh goal 4:11 in opened the scoring and Kevin Baker’s 42nd at 4:48 pushed open the lead. The Cyclones, physically down a player and using two retired Everblades players in their lineup, cut the deficit to 2-1 when Mark Van Guilder notched his 16th score of the season on the power play at 10:31. Dustin Sproat and Mike Salekin handed out the assists on the score. Florida again dominated the shots battle, 13-3, in the frame.
Florida scored the game’s final goal at 16:53 when Colin Nicholson tallied his eighth goal of the season. The Everblades won the shots battle, 15-7, in the period and 42-12 for the game.
The Cyclones are now 28-19-5 on the season, while Florida is 35-13-2. The Cyclones open a six game homestand on Friday, February 20 versus Dayton at U.S. Bank Arena. The game will be carried on www.cycloneshockey.com with the pregame show at 7:15pm and the faceoff at 7:30pm.