 |
| POWER
PLAY |
11TH
- 17.9 |
| PENALTY
KILL |
17TH
- 81.2 |
| FORWARDS |
| RANDY
ROWE |
24-44-68
(+21) |
| ALEXANDRE
IMBEAULT |
26-36-62
(+3) |
| RYAN
GARLOCK |
36-35-61
(+7) |
| DEFENSEMEN |
| ANDREW
MARTENS |
9-29-38
(+1) |
| MIKE
KNIGHT |
9-25-34
(+14) |
| BRIAN
DEETH |
6-23-28
(-5) |
| GOALTENDERS |
| RYAN
NIE |
29-12-2
(3 SO)
2.80 GA
.897 PCT |
|
| ANDREW
PENNER |
6-13-0
(0 SO)
3.52 GA
.886 PCT |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Dayton
vs Cincinnati |
|
|
SCHEDULE |
| 1 |
APR.
11 |
JOHNSTOWN
2 - CINCINNATI 5 |
SEED
4 |
2 |
APR.
12 |
JOHNSTOWN
1 - CINCINNATI 4 |
SEED
1 |
36-30-3-3
(78) |
3 |
APR.
15 |
CINCINNATI
4 - JOHNSTOWN 2 |
55-12-1-4
(115) |
| |
4 |
APR.
16 |
CINCINNATI
3 - JOHNSTOWN 2 |
|
| |
5 |
APR.
18 |
CINCINNATI
at JOHNSTOWN |
|
| |
6 |
APR.
19 |
JOHNSTOWN
at CINCINNATI |
|
| |
7 |
APR.
21 |
JOHNSTOWN
at CINCINNATI |
|
| Cincinnati
Wins Series 4-0 |
|
SERIES
PREVIEW |
|
|
The Cyclones enter the playoffs after an immense improvement in a short span. The franchise, resurrected from dormancy only a season ago, overachieved to capture the Brabham Cup in 07-08. The ‘Clones worked hard all season to overcome call-ups, untimely injuries, and a flu bug hit the team before the final regular season game with Trenton.
Johnstown comes to the series having defeated the pesky Dayton Bombers two games to none in the quarterfinals. Captain Randy Rowe and linemate Ryan Garlock each have the team lead heading into teh next round with five points against Dayton. In the regular season series between the two clubs Cincinnati dominated, however they might be facing a different Chiefs team which scored early and often in their sweep of the Bombers.
Johnstown's ability to score early in the game will put the pressure on Cyclones netminder Max Daigneault right from the start of the game. The other half of the Cincy tandem is Cedric Desjardins who is returning from an assignment with Hamilton of the AHL.
This promises to be a competitive series owing to the toughness of both teams. Johnstown relied on turnovers and odd-man rushes to overwhelm the Dayton defenders. This is a challenge for the Cyclones to not get caught by these tactics by turning the puck over in an untimely manner.
Anchoring the ‘Clones defense is All-ECHL 2nd teamer Chad Starling. The big blue liner won the +/- award at +48 and is a force around the net. Additions to the playoff roster include defenders Conrad Martin and Bryan Schmidt, both of whom spent significant time in the AHL this year.
Cincinnati coach Chcuk Weber added sniper Jean-Michel Daoust, who returns from AHL experience with Wilkes Barre/Scranton to the roster. Daoust was the ‘Clones leading scorer before his call-up to the baby Penguins. In combination with forward Jason Deitsch and centerman David Desharnais this should add significant firepower in the effort to overcome Chiefs goalie Ryan Nie who is playing well having limited Dayton to a single goal in the two games played. Desharnais won the regular season scoring title with 106 points, winning both the ECHL's MVP and Rookie of the Year awards.
In a recent two-game series against the Chiefs the Cyclones scored often on the power play. The extra strength goals were scored by Mathieu Aubin, Olivier Latendresse, and Matt Syroczynski against Nie. Syroczynski begins the series on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. Forward Jimmy Bonneau returns to the lineup while limited to less ice time and fewer extra curricular activity per doctors orders. The defense has been banged up and some nights the unit needed to be cobbled together with a forward ( Billy Irish-Baker).
The Johnstown crew is formidable when fore-checking well and causing disruption in the neutral zone. Rookie Alex Imbeault and veterans Jean Desrochers and Ryan Garlock are talented centermen flanked by the likes of Mike Sgroi (6-5, 230), Mark Tobin (6-3, 220) and Jason Spence (6-1, 205).
The Chiefs offense has the size and determination to cause chaos in front of their opponent's net. During the regular season the three centers combined for 174 points meanwhile Sgroi amassed 257 penalty minute, more than all of the others mentioned combined.
This will be a series determined by physicality and finesse, for the Chiefs this will mean finding a balance between the two. Spending too much time in the sin bin could be fatal to the Chiefs. Cincinnati has the ability to take advantage of defensive lapses by penalty killers. Johnstown will need to counter the Cyclones team speed, a very difficult to do from the penalty box.
Cincinnati is well aware of the team speed on the Chiefs end of the ice. Winning face-offs is Weber’s strategy to counter this advantage. This series will be won through flashes of brilliance balanced against a gritty defensive struggle as both clubs have the bodies to make finesse difficult.
Weber, who is in his 2nd year as Cincinnati head coach, says “(we) have team toughness, finish our bumps, and we’ve found ways to win games.” In fact the Cyclones came from behind to win 25 times this season. This never quit attitude permeates the squad and is a reason to never count them out when on the short end of the score.
|
|
| Game
1 |
Johnstown
2 - Cincinnati 5 |
| by
Rob Huelsman - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
Cincinnati
Leads Series 1-0 |
Cincinnati,
OH - Game one between Cincinnati and Johnstown
began much the same way for the Chiefs as both of their
games against Dayton did. Just forty seconds into the
first period left wing Randy Rowe scored again within
the first minute. If you add a 20-game point streak for
the assist by center Ryan Garlock things were looking
up for the visitors.
On Thursday Cyclones coach Chuck Weber indicated his plan
was to win face-offs and Cincinnati did win the opening
drop but they failed to keep possession allowing captain
Rowe to work his magic.
The opening goal would pretty much end the bad news on
the night for the favored Cyclones. Johnstown's lead lasted
until 7:59 of the first when ECHL MVP and Rookie of the
Year David Desharnais evened things up for the ‘Clones.
From that point onward the home team blew the Chiefs away.
While shots on goal were roughly even for the game, the
Chiefs quality opportunities went awry mainly due to the
stellar play of Maxime “Mad Max” Daigneault and the Cincy
defenders, who were impenetrable most of the night.
Penalties increased for both sides as the game wore on.
Chiefs forward Mike Sgroi normally rings up the most penalty
minutes but his teammates also managed to spend some time
getting to know what the off-ice officials had for dinner
while watching the penalty-killing unit.
There were a few times a Chiefs player seemingly tripped
over themselves but were awarded the power play anyway.
None of the penalties mattered anyway as both teams were
“oh-fer” on the power play.
Cincinnati forward Thomas Beauregard scored the game-winning
goal , unassisted at 18:06 of the second period when he
lifted a sharp angle shot over the right shoulder of goalie
Ryan Nie.
The final score of 5-2 reflects a late third period goal
by Garlock which essentially came with the game out of
reach.
The contest became chippy midway through the second period
as several attempts to drop the gloves were thwarted by
the zebras. It finally erupted in the third period when
multiple tempers flared along the wall and several pairs
decided to dance. Limited pugilism ensued due to the fracas
and coincidental minors were assessed. The shoving got
the home fans rowdy but they were already into the game
for quite a while by now.
Johnstown appears they might have trouble in this series
because the Cyclones speed on the wings made it difficult
for Johnstown to set up except on the power play. In the
neutral zone Cincinnati disrupted Johnstown forwards with
hard hits limiting their offensive chances.
Game two will take place on Saturday night at the same
bat time and the same bat channel. |
|
|
Game
2 |
Johnstown
1 - Cincinnati 4 |
|
by
Rob Huelsman - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
Cincinnati
Leads Series 2-0 |
Cincinnati,
OH - For the first time in four games the Chiefs
failed to score during the first minute of play. Chiefs
captain Randy Rowe was a scratch from this meeting due
to injury. Tonight at Cincinnati it was evident that his
leadership on the ice was missed. The Cyclones dominated
the game with an up tempo style of “catch me if you can”.
Cyclones forward Mathieu Aubin opened the scoring in the
first with a power play goal at 14:42. Assisting on the
play were Sean Perkins and Olivier Latendresse. Power
plays were two aside during the opening stanza with no
major malfunctions. Both defenses tightened up during
the second to keep it close at 1-0. At this point in the
game the Cyclones dominated the neutral zone forcing the
Chiefs into turnovers. The Chiefs never seemed able to
get organized in the offensive zone or get the puck “outta
there” in the defensive end in a timely fashion all night.
 |
The Cyclones transition game was giving the Chiefs fits
and it began to show. Cincinnati had several hard rushes
off turnovers which gave the home team point blank shots
which Chiefs net minder Ryan Nie skillfully turned aside,
preventing an even larger deficit to overcome.
After the game Nie addressed the Cyclones speed this way,
“ they have small, crafty forwards who like to get the
outlet pass off and running. We just have to be a little
more sound defensively.”
The third period opened with the crowd into the rowdiness
on the ice as Johnstown agitated, trying mightily to throw
the Cyclones into a tailspin. Dollar beer helped to fuel
the frenzy as the Chiefs were awarded two power plays
early, inciting a raucous round of “pop goes the weasel”
directed at ref Adam Fish.
Despite the challenges Cincinnati extended the lead by
two with goals 15 seconds apart at 11:11 and 11:26. The
first, by Matt Syroczynski, was assisted by David Desharnais.
In the blink of an eye Billy Irish-Baker shoved the puck
past Nie in a flurry at the front of the crease, giving
Barrett Ehgoetz and Scott Reynolds the helpers. The scores
had the crowd of over 4,000 roaring their approval and
encouragement to their boys on the ice.Finally at 14:50
the Chiefs were on the board with a goal by former Cyclone
Andrew Martens.
The two teams obvious dislike for each other showed from
the first penalty meted out for cross checking to the
donnybrook that occurred at 12:33 of the second. Chiefs
Brandon Straub, Nathan Saunders and the ‘Clones Matt Syroczynski
and Thomas Beauregard all spent time in the box for roughing.
The final tally was an empty-netter by Aubin with 1.9
seconds remaining to ice the cake and light the candles.
Ryan Garlock failed to record a point to keep his scoring
streak alive which ending at 20 games. The Chiefs players
are confident that the result will be different in the
next games at their barn.
“ Home ice is a great thing, you can get your fans behind
you, it’s going to be a different ball game come Tuesday,"
said Nie. Avoiding another loss will be the mission for
the Chiefs if they cannot win Cincinnati will continue
to roll towards the division title by steam-rolling the
Chiefs. |
|
|
Game
3 |
Cincinnati
4 - Johnstown 2 |
|
by
Rob Huelsman - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
Cincinnati
Leads Series 3-0 |
Johnstown,
PA - Down 2-0 in the series against Cincinnati
the Chiefs were happy captain Randy Rowe returned to the
lineup. His leadership and scoring touch were sorely needed
with the series in favor of the visiting Cyclones.
Back at home for the first time in this series the Johnstown
crew expected to up the intimidation factor against their
speedier opponents.
Cincinnati received some reinforcements as they brought
along defenseman Conrad Martin and Cedric (the Goalie)
Desjardins each of whom were newly reassigned from Hamilton
of the AHL.
The series has been chippy so far but has been played
without many out and out brawls. The home team was confident
in their barn and in the fans ability to motivate them
to victory. There were penalties aplenty in this tilt
and both teams managed to light the lamp on the power
play later in the game after a defensive struggle in the
first period ending with a scoreless tie. The scoring
began in the second period with a power play goal by the
Cyclones Matt Syroczynski at 15:33. Four minutes later
Jason Deitsch tallied another man advantage goal to double
the deficit for the Cincy squad, making the Chiefs pay
for the elbowing and boarding calls against them. The
Chiefs upped the ante in the period physically but paid
the price, the ’Clones took the punishment and woke up
their power play.
The home team managed to halve the deficit with a power
play goal of their own late in the third period to wake
up their fans. Alex Imbeault scored off of a face off
and things looked brighter for Johnstown. The optimism
soon faded as the Cyclones Mathieu Aubin slid the puck
past Ryan Nie for the first even strength goal of the
night. The Chiefs pulled netminder Nie with 1:20 remaining
in favor of an extra attacker to no avail as Thomas Beauregard
fired the puck into the empty net to make the score Cyclones
four and Chiefs one with 29 seconds remaining. The Chiefs
managed an even strength goal with eleven second remaining
but it was too late to make a difference in the final
outcome .
The power play has haunted the Chiefs so far this series
as the Chiefs have managed an anemic 1/22 with the man
advantage. Also the level of physicality backfired on
the Chiefs as Rowe left the game with what appeared to
observers to be a shoulder injury after a particularly
ferocious hit upon ‘Clone Barrett Ehgoetz.
As rough & tumble as the third period was game four should
be more so as the Chiefs fight to stave off elimination.
Get ready for the home team to come out hard and fast
while the visiting Cyclones try to take advantage of any
Chiefs miscues.
Meanwhile Cyclones fans are holding their collective breath
until Johnstown is sent to the fairways and greens of
summer. Tune in to see if Johnstown can make them turn
blue with a win in game four.
|
|
|
Game
4 |
Cincinnati
3 - Johnstown 2 |
|
by
Rob Huelsman - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
Cincinnati
Wins Series 4-0 |
Johnstown,
PA - The desperation hour had arrived for the
hometown Chiefs. Facing elimination, unable to solve the
Cyclones defense or able to score on the man advantage,
the Johnstown squad stepped it up a bit in the effort
department.
Things were fine until the visiting ‘Clones scored two
power play goals in the first period. Johnstown again
out shot their rivals but that did not translate into
points on the scoreboard. The Cyclones took advantage
of opportunities and defensive lapses, leaving the Chiefs
again playing from behind.
At 15:54 of the first Cyclones (recently returned from
the AHL) defenseman Conrad Martin took advantage of the
roughing call on Nathan Saunders of the Chiefs to tally
the first power play score. The dagger in the heart of
the hometown faithful came with 17 seconds remaining in
the first when Matt Syroczynski fired a rocket past Ryan
Nie to double the lead.
The second stanza was relatively quiet as both teams were
given two opportunities with the man advantage. Both squads
managed an even strength goals to keep the lead at two.
Thomas Beauregard scored first for the visitors at 14:57
as he slid the puck inside the right post past Ryan Nie.
Shortly afterward Chiefs captain Randy Rowe surprised
Cincy netminder Max Daignealt scoring the final tally
of the period at 13:53.
The third period produced a flurry of minor penalties
and finally the Chiefs managed a power play score by Center
Ryan Garlock at 3:05 to bring the score 3-2 Cyclones.
An interesting note of the night was the screaming of
Chiefs Mike Sgroi at Martin. Coach Ian Herbers called
Sgroi to the bench to calm him down before returning to
play. The hometown squad fell short defensively again.
The Cyclones special teams play came through in the end
they were two-for-seven on the power play and nine-out-of-ten
on the penalty kill. The success led to the sweeping of
the Chiefs into the off season .
Cincinnati will play the winner of the Reading-Elmira
series in the next round.
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| POWER
PLAY |
1ST
- 22.2 |
| PENALTY
KILL |
8TH
- 84.3 |
| FORWARDS |
| DAVID
DESHARNAIS |
29-77-106
(+38) |
| THOMAS
BEAUREGARD |
31-34-65
(+17) |
| BARRETT
EHGOETZ |
18-44-62
(+29) |
| DEFENSEMEN |
| TJ
McELROY |
5-19-24
(+10) |
| CHAD
STARLING |
2-20-22
(+48) |
| MATT
MacDONALD |
3-11-14
(+15) |
| GOALTENDERS |
| CEDRICK
DESJARDINS |
16-4-1
(5 SO)
1.92 GA
.934 PCT |
|
| LEE
LANSDOWNE |
0-0-0
(O SO)
0.00 GA
.000 PCT |
|
|
|
