 |
POWER
PLAY |
8TH
- 19.1 |
PENALTY
KILL |
18TH
- 80.7 |
FORWARDS |
BROCK
HOOTON |
26-33-59
(+12) |
DANY
ROUSSIN |
23-34-57
(+15) |
PATRICK
JARRET |
9-31-40
(-5) |
DEFENSEMEN |
PJ
ATHERTON |
16-25-41
(-4) |
STEVEN
LATER |
9-18-27
(+9) |
DAVE
PSZENYCZNY |
6-14-20
(-12) |
GOALTENDERS |
TERRY
DENIKE |
8-8-2
(0 SO)
3.74 GA
.881 PCT |
|
JOHN
MURRAY |
3-3-1
(1 SO)
3.36 GA
.883 PCT |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Reading
vs Cincinnati |
|
|
SCHEDULE |
| 1 |
APR.
24 |
CINCINNATI
3 - READING 5 |
SEED
3 |
2 |
APR.
26 |
CINCINNATI
3 - READING 2 |
SEED
1 |
38-26-6
(84) |
3 |
APR.
28 |
READING
5 - CINCINNATI 2 |
55-12-1-4
(115) |
| |
4 |
APR.
30 |
READING
3 - CINCINNATI 5 |
|
| |
5 |
MAY
1 |
READING
1 - CINCINNATI 0 |
|
| |
6 |
MAY
3 |
CINCINNATI
4 - READING 2 |
|
| |
7 |
MAY
5 |
READING
1 - CINCINNATI 6 |
|
|
Cincinnati
Wins Series 4-3 |
|
SERIES
PREVIEW |
|
|
The
Royals were 38-26-8 during the regular season and finished
third in the ECHL’s North Division with 84 points. The
Royals and Cyclones have never met in a playoff series.
This is the fourth time in the last five years that Reading
has advanced past the first round in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Cincinnati's 115 points and 55 wins are the second most
in the 20-year history of the ECHL. The Louisiana IceGators
had 116 points and 56 wins in 2001-02. The Cyclones have
reached the postseason four times in five seasons, including
each of the last two years.
In their first round series against Elmira, the Royals
were 4-1 in one-goal games, and won all three overtime
games against the Jackals. The last game of the series
went into double overtime. Both teams scored 17 goals
in the series.
Cincinnati is 1-0 in one-goal games and outscored the
Johnstown Chiefs 16-7 to win their series in four games.
The Cyclones have won the last five meetings between Reading
and Cincinnati and were 4-0-1 at home. Cincinnati is 17-10-3
all-time against the Royals. Cincinnati is one win shy
of becoming only the fourth team in ECHL history to reach
60 wins. The Alaska Aces won 69 games in winning the Kelly
Cup in 2006, while the Gwinnett Gladiators finished that
same season with 61 victories.
The Trenton Titans (now known as the Devils) became the
first team ever to reach 60 wins when they advanced to
the Kelly Cup
Finals in 2001 (61 wins). The assistant coach for Trenton
that season is current Cincinnati head coach Chuck Weber.
Reading
Royals Head Coach Karl Taylor is in his third season with
Reading and has a regular season record of 112-82-22 and
is 5-5 in the playoffs.
Kevin Saurette and Patrick Jarrett have seven points to
lead Reading’s offense in the playoffs.
Goaltender Danny Taylor was in net for every game of the
Elmira series and will continue as Reading’s starter.
In the series against Elmira, the Royals never scored
the first goal of the game. That will have to change again
the Cyclones if they are to have a chance at winning.
During the regular season the Royals special teams were
a bit of a bit of an odd couple. So far during the season
they have been slightly the opposite. The power play is
currently ranked 14th (.147 percent) while during the
season they finished 8th in the league (.191 percent).
The Penalty killing unit is where the team has turned
things around. During the season they were ranked 18th
(.807 percent) where during the playoffs the Royals are
5th (.914 percent)
Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Cyclones swept the Johnstown Chiefs in
four straight games. Cincinnati dominated their in-division
rivals this campaign while winning the Brabham Cup. The
Cyclones are an offensive juggernaut with small quick
forwards including ECHL MVP David Desharnais. Reading
netminder Danny Taylor will find that dealing with the
Cincinnati power play and forward Matt Syroczynski can
be demoralizing.
Cincinnati took all of the punishment that the Chiefs
dished out in the last round and persevered. The Cyclones
power play unit took ample advantage of defensive lapses
to inflict a little punishment of their own on their rivals.
The Cincy penalty killers were stellar as they killed
30 of 32 man advantage situations against the Chiefs special
teams. The transition game is strong and takeaways often
lead to odd man rushes by Desharnais, Barrett Ehgoetz
and Jason Deitsch. The tenacious play of the special teams
has given the ‘Clones the advantage in this aspect of
the game. Defense is also a source of pride for the division
champs and stifling could be the best description of their
style. Chad Starling a 6’-6” seven year pro from Delisle,
Saskatchewan won the ECHL’s +/- award with a mark of +48.
The unit also features Conrad Martin, Jon Gleed and Matt
MacDonald .
Prediction (Huelsman): The Cyclones are
a quick and physical on defense and will use special teams
to their advantage. The Royals play old time, grind-it
out hockey with an emphasis on positioning and persistence.
Reading will give the Cyclones a series to remember but
the ‘Clones will win to move on to the conference finals.
|
|
Game
1 |
Cincinnati
3 - Reading 5 |
| by Brian Jennings - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
Reading
Leads Series 1-0 |
Reading,
PA - During the regular season, the Cincinnati Cyclones were as dominant a team that the ECHL has ever seen. They breezed through the first round of the playoffs against the Johnstown Chiefs winning in convincing fashion four games to none.
After the Reading Royals defeated the Cyclones 5-3 in Game 1, you get the feeling the Cincinnati mihgt be in for a long series against a Royals club that is as healthy a team that they have been all season long.
The Royals were the more dominant team in Game 1, getting off to a 4-1 lead and never looked back taking game one over the Cyclones. Things started early and often against former Hershey Bears goaltender Maxime Daigneault. The Royals got on the power play thanks to a four minute high sticking penalty and scored 1:09 into the game as Dany Roussin, who was sitting at the top of the crease, got off a quick snap shot that beat Daigneault to give the Royals it’s first 1-0 lead in the playoffs.
Brock Hooton did the same for Reading to make the score 2-0 when from the left face off circle snapped a shot high over Daigneault’s shoulder for the goal. Cincinnati came back with a goal of there own on the power play when Matt Syroczynski beat Royals goalie Danny Taylor, who was solid all night long, glove side. The Royals made it 3-1 on a Joe Zappala rebound goal on a 4-on-3 power play that made the score 3-1 heading into the third period.
At the start of the third period, with the Royals shorthanded, Hooton scored his second goal of the game when Kevin Saurette blocked a shot at the point, and Hooton came over to pick up the puck, raced down the left side of the ice, and beat Daigneault to make the score 4-1.
The Cyclones came back to get within one, but once again it would be the Royals who would capitalize shorthanded. The Cyclones were on a 5-on-3 power play, but Patrick Hersley came out of the penalty box, intercepted the puck going back to the point, turned on the jets, and beat Daigneault on a breakaway to put the game out of reach for a 5-3 win.
The Royals once again would bounce back at the 6:55 Mark as MacMillan skated the puck up the ice and left a drop pass for Kronschnabel. Mike Salekin skated down the slot and Kronschnabel hit him with a pass. Salakin burned a shot past Martin to once again tie the game at 4-4.
Both teams scored twice on the power play. Cincinnati outshot Reading 35-25 on the night, and 29-16 over the final two periods.
The Royals will take on Cincinnati in Game 2 of the best-of-seven series Saturday night in Reading.
Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com
|
|
Game
2 |
Cincinnati
3 - Reading 2 |
| by
Brian Jennings - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
Series
Tied 1-1 |
Reading,
PA - In Game 1 it was the Reading Royals who got off to the fast start to a victory over the Cincinnati Cyclones. This time it was Cyclones who got off to a fast start scoring the first two goals of the game and held on for a 3-2 to tie the series at 1-1.
The Cyclones had all three of there goals in the first period, including Olivier Latendresse's power play goal, his second goal of the game and third of the playoffs to give the team the win over Reading. The Cyclones were on their game early and often scoring twice on eight power play chances on the night.
Matt MacDonald got things off right for the Cyclones scoring just 2:17 into the game on the power play blasting a slap shot past Royals goaltender Danny Taylor for the 1-0 lead. Latendresse got his second goal of the playoffs midway through the first period on a four-on-four situation. Latendresse was parked in front of the net and tipped a shot home to give Cincy a 2-0 lead.
Reading's Brock Hooton got his fifth goal of the playoffs shorthanded stealing the pick from J.M. Daoust and shooting five-hole on Cedric Desjardins to cut the lead to 2-1. Unfortunately for Reading the excitement wouldn’t last long. While on the same power play, Latendresse scored again on a nice set up from Barrett Eghoetz and slammed home a shot to give Cincy a 3-1 lead after the first period.
Reading outshot the Cyclones in every period of the game, including in the second period outshooting Cincy 12-5, but couldn’t get the puck past Desjardins. Reading had five of their 12 power play opportunities, but could not capitalize on any of them. In the third period however, Reading finally struck with the man advantage as Shawn Collymore redirected a shot from Rob LaLonde's shot from the point to cut the lead to 3-2. Unfortunately for Reading, that would be as close as they would get all night as the Cyclones evened the series going back to Cincinnati for Games 3 through 5.
Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com
|
|
|
Game
3 |
Reading
5 - Cincinnati 2 |
| by
Rob
Huelsman -
PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
Reading
Leads Series 2-1 |
Cincinnati,
OH - The Cyclones returned home with the series
knotted at one apiece, a good thing for the division champs
who were in place to have several home games in a row.
The prospect of a friendly crowd seemed appealing and
the home team scored first on the power play just 3:45
into the opening stanza. The goal was defenseman Bryan
Schmidt's first of the postseason and was assisted by
Olivier Latendresse with David Desharnais. The joy lasted
approximately a minute when Conrad Martin was sent to
the box for hooking, giving Reading a power play. Dany
Roussin scored his fifth playoff goal with the man advantage
to bring the Royals even.
Schmidt beat Royals netminder Taylor at 19:18 for his
second power play goal of the night. Ref Keith Kaval handed
out nine minors for the period mostly for hooking and
a boarding call for good measure attempting to keep the
animosity at a minimum.
.gif) |
The ‘Clones held a one goal lead throughout the majority
of the second period, then sloppy defensive play cost
the home team the lead. Matt Herneisen beat Cedric Desjardins
to bring the Royals even once more. The Royals dominated
the neutral zone, disrupting passing attempts, preventing
any more of the 17 Cyclones shots from finding the back
of the net. Several furious scrums in the Reading crease
occurred but to no avail for the Cyclones offense.
Reading took control in the final stanza with two breakaway
goals and one by overwhelming Desjardins by multiple Royals
in the crease. The Brabham Cup winners were not at the
best. “(We were) sloppy in our defense, sloppy in our
power play,” said coach Cincinnati Chuck Weber.
Weber reiterated that the breakaways were the result of
poor defensive play. The lid blew off the kettle as the
game concluded with a post horn donnybrook in the Cyclones
end involving everyone except goalie Taylor.
Reading players were given three misconducts, two fighting
majors, and a game misconduct for obscenity. The home
team suffered likewise for their participation in the
melee. Coach Weber was visibly upset with the fracas .
The home locker room was closed to the media for approximately
30 minutes after the game concluded. When the coach finally
met with reporters, there were two reporters left to talk
with, everyone else having given up and gone home. The
series has become decidedly more physical and more provocative.
Acrimonious would mildly describe the mood between these
division rivals as things just seem to get nastier as
the series wears on. Game 4 will be Wednesday night here
in Cincy, a wild n’ wooly one to be sure. Lot’s of rock
‘em sock ‘em action is upcoming if the ending of Game
3 has been any indication.
|
|
Game
4 |
Reading
3 - Cincinnati 5 |
| by
Rob Huelsman - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
Series
Tied 2-2 |
Cincinnati,
OH - Sometimes you have to be careful what you
wish for as a predicted rough ‘n tumble tilt turned into
exactly that. Just three seconds into the opening period
Conrad Martin got the first round going against Royals
center Malcolm MacMillan. The enthusiastic home crowd
was immediately involved in the rowdiness cheering on
Conrad, as the theme from “Rocky” blared over the sound
system. The principals were eventually corralled by the
zebras and sentenced to five-minute fighting majors. The
night turned towards hockey as Cincinnati began the scoring
with Thomas Beauregard’s fifth goal of the playoffs at
9:57. It was a great start for the ‘Clones who were checking
hard, playing stout defense and giving the Royals offense
little time to get organized. After a rough start to the
series the team on the ice began to resemble the Brabham
Cup-winning Cyclones and the home fans were clearly happy
to see their return.
At 19:49 Jason Deitsch of the Cyclones scored his second
goal of the post season by aggressively attacking Reading
netminder Danny Taylor.
The first period produced a lead for Cincinnati, but in
this series that hasn’t meant much as both squads are
capable of comeback wins. In the middle period the teams
traded goals by Olivier Latendresse of the Cyclones and
Patrik Hersley of the Royals. There were plenty of hits
dealt out by both teams as the intimidation factor increased
over the course of the period. Cincinnati again played
disciplined, well coordinated hockey, and used speed to
their advantage.
The Royals were back on their heels most of the time as
Cyclones forwards penetrated deep into the offensive zone.
The visitors from the east needed to regroup if this was
to remain a manageable deficit of only two goals.
It appeared they would when the Royals took advantage
of the opportunities given them early in the third period.
The visitors scored two unanswered goals 36 seconds apart
to even the score at three a side.
Dany Roussin scored his sixth of the playoffs on the power
play, as ‘Clone Matt MacDonald spent time in the sin bin
for tripping. Then Joe Zappala added an even strength
goal for Reading. The home team came out sloppy in the
final period losing the advantage and letting Reading
get back into the contest while the home fans let the
team know that this level of effort was unacceptable.
Cincy clawed its way back into the lead as a furious scrum
in front of Taylor ended with Beauregard shoving the puck
under the Reading netminder at 15:13 over the complaints
of the Royals the puck had been kicked in.
The Royals were given one final chance when the referee
called the ‘Clones T.J. McElroy for hooking at 18:05.
Reading coach Karl Taylor called a timeout and pulled
his goalie for an extra attacker. The six-on-four advantage
lasted until Cyclones center Barrett Ehgoetz ,while falling
flat to the ice, scored into the empty Royals net, thus
driving all hope from the Reading fans who had made the
trip west. Cedric Desjardins was excellent in the win,
facing 25 shots. In the end the final score was the same
as Game 3 but with a different winner. Game 5 is tonight
in Cincinnati and it’s now a best-of-three series for
these rivals. Each team has built a healthy disrespect
for each other and neither team will back down from this
point on to the series end.
“It’s the playoffs and you’re not supposed to like your
opponent,” said Taylor. There will be no worries as that
as the next civil act between the two teams will be when
they shake hands at the end of the series.
|
|
Game
5 |
Reading
at Cincinnati |
| by
Rob Huelsman - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
Reading
Leads Series 3-2 |
Cincinnati,
OH - The see-saw series between the Royals and
the Cyclones will move back to Reading for Game 6 after
the Royals 1-0 win on Thursday. The series has reached
the point of elimination for the Brabham Cup winning Cyclones.
Staying alive will require two wins in a row for the ‘Clones.
Thursday's game was a defensive struggle for all but roughly
the last five minutes of the game. Both of the teams managed
to avoid some of the extracurricular animosity present
in previous tilts in this series. Eight penalties in the
first were meted out but no goals for either team in spite
of furious whacks on both goalies during the stanza. Danny
Taylor of the Royals withstood 15 shots by the home team,
Cedric Desjardins half that from the visitors. The Reading
crew had several quality opportunities but the Cyclones
defense played tight, smart, and mistake-free around their
goal. The hits in the game were plentiful, but clean due
to the fact both teams been warned by ECHL Head of Officiating
Joe Ernst about their previous conduct in the series.
Both coaches were fined earlier in this series and Ernst
has been a nightly visitor to both locker rooms due the
level of nastiness so far.
Period two provided for fewer trips to the sin bin but
also no scoring. Both teams tightened up their penalty
kill from the earlier games this series. The Cyclones
usually potent power play went 0-10 this night while Reading's
unit only fared one better. It was a frustrating game
for both teams fans as neither seemed able to get on track
offensively.
 |
As the third period ground on with no score the flailing
at the goalies persisted and several good chances evaporated.
At 14:56 Cyclones T.J. McElroy was flagged for interference
and went to the box. Reading magic man Brock Hooten took
advantage of the ‘Clones inability to control a rebound
and flipped the puck over Desjardins' glove hand for the
only tally of the night. The home team was 4/5 on the
PK but Reading was 10/10 this night. The Cyclones stepped
up the intensity to mount a comeback but ran out of clock
before the end of the contest.
The conference champs now must win two in a row to stay
alive and move on to the conference finals for the first
time in franchise history. Reading needs only win again
to advance past the division level. Tune in for an intense
Game 6 from Reading as the Cyclones face elimination on
Saturday night after an amazing season of firsts for the
team.
|
|
Game
6 |
Cincinnati
4 - Reading 2 |
| by
Brian Jennings - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
Series
Tied 3-3 |
Reading,
PA - The Cincinnati Cyclones didn't look like a desperate team in the first period, but played like one in the second period. Cincinnati scored the game's first three goals and then hung on for a 4-2 victory to force a Game 7 on Monday night back in Cincinnati.
The Cyclones were outplayed in the first period, being outshot 10-4, but they were not being outscored as the Reading Royals blew a chance to go up 1-0 on a four minute advantage, but not only could not score on Montreal Canadiens prospect Cedric Desjardins who was solid all night long.
Still both goaltenders looked good and Game 6 was beginning to look like Game 5 when the game ended in a 1-0 win for the Royals. However, your best players have to be your best players come playoff time and the Cylones team MVP, and league MVP, David Desharnais, who has been put in check by the Royals all series long, finally got his second goal of the playoffs at 16:03 of the second period to give the Cyclones a 1-0 lead.
The goal seemed to have put a spark in Cincinnati as they went on to outplay Reading for the rest of the game, especially in the second period as they outshot Reading 19-5. Mathieu Aubin scored his fifth of the playoffs 59 seconds later to give the Cyclones a 2-0 lead heading into the third period.
The Cyclones continued to play well in the third period and went ahead 3-0 on a great shot by Scott Reynolds that went up high on the Royals goaltender Danny Taylor. Taylor went down to the ice to take away a low shot, and Reynolds outwaited Taylor, shot high, and scored what proved to be the game winner 14:38 into the third period.
As usual, the Royals came back just like they have all playoffs. Patrik Hersley scored on the power play to finally get the Royals on the board with only 2:13 left in the game. Chris Blight gave the home fans hope 41 seconds later with the goaltender pulled. Blight crashed the net and put home a rebound past Desjardins to make things interesting in the end, making the score 3-2.
However, Aubin banked home an empty net goal, his sixth of the playoffs, to finally put the game out of reach with 20 seconds left in the game, and sent the series back to Cincinnati.
Winning Game 7 back home may not be a given for the Cyclones. Oddly enough, the Cyclones lost only four home games during the regular season, and twice during the playoffs. Of those six losses, three of them are to the Royals. Needless to say Monday night's game will be one worth watching.
Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com
|
|
Game
7 |
Reading
1 - Cincinnati 6 |
| by
Rob Huelsman - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
Cincinnati
Wins Series 4-3 |
Cincinnati,
OH - It has been a long series to determine the North Division representative for the American Conference Finals. The Royals have given their fans some heroes as have the Cyclones. It has been a struggle for Cincinnati as the Brabham Cup winners league-leading power play has been off again-on again throughout this series. Both squads played their hearts out but at times have let emotion overtake common sense and disciplined hockey. The Cyclones faced elimination on the road Saturday night in the Royals barn and rose to the challenge with a 4-2 victory to force a Game 7. The goaltenders in these tilts have been seriously tested, whacked upon, and abused. Even after the horn the animosity flowed freely and at time overflowed. Of course financial consequences have also been paid, literally as each team was fined as were some players. So it only stood to reason that it would come down to this one contest for all the division marbles.
The other issue for nine of the Cyclones players from last year was the collapse against Dayton in Game 7 of their series. Tonight was a chance for redemption as the Cyclones have played more seventh games than any previous ECHL franchise and had lost both games. In their third attempt to win a Game 7 the ‘Clones came out energized by the home crowd of 2,523, a decent crowd considering the Cincinnati Reds were at home next door at their park.
The hitting in this contest was clean, hard, and frequent. The Cyclones swept into the Royals zone relentlessly putting the puck on net. Royals netminder Danny Taylor made several point blank saves in the first as both squads produced 15 shots on goal. Cedric Desjardins was equal to the task as he and Taylor kept the game scoreless. Reading penalty killers had stymied the Cyclones once again mostly through the efforts of their goaltender.
Reading emerged from the visitors’ locker room long after Head Coach Karl Taylor assumed his position behind the bench. The “Purple Pack” looked ready to cause pain and heartache for the home crowd. At 4:08 into the second hometown-boy Jason Deitsch corralled a loose rebound in the crease and flipped it past Taylor for the opening score. The home team fed off of the energy and put another past Taylor at 8:44 as David Desharnais tallied the only power play goal of the night. Worry set in around the arena as Reading made several furious rushes at Desjardins, who stoned every attempt no matter the difficulty. By the end of the second the ‘Clones doubled their lead with even strength goals by Mathieu Aubin and Ryan Russell. Russell was recently added to the mix by Coach Weber to add speed and scoring punch and the move paid off.
Cincinnati arrived on the ice for the final stanza to thunderous applause from the crowd. Reading appeared tentative at the outset as the ‘Clones defense controlled the Royals forwards up ice progress. Playing a press-style defense the home team harassed the visitors deep in their own zone, producing turnovers. Kevin Saurette of the Royals gave hope of a comeback with a score at 3:37 into the third. Unable to control the Cyclones forwards, Reading was leaning too heavily on Danny Taylor. As a result Scott Reynolds and David Desharnais gave the ‘Clones a comfortable five-goal lead the Royals were unable to overcome.
The Cyclones played their brand of hockey the final two games of this series to claim the North Division crown. Next up for the team will be the South Carolina Stingrays in another best of seven series that begins Friday May 9th.
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
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 |
|
|
|
