CINCINNATI CYCLONES (33-29-6-4, 1-2 playoffs)
vs.
READING ROYALS (44-23-2-3, 2-1 playoffs)
Reading Leads Best-of-Five Series, 2-1
DATE: Saturday, April 9, 2011
TIME: 7:30pm
SITE: U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
RADIO: None
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)
NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Reading Royals: Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs
NEXT HOME GAME
TBA
TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: Often times in sports, the phrase “must-win” is heavily overused. However, for Cincinnati, that’s the only way to describe tonight’s Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. After getting blanked 3-0 last night at U.S. Bank Arena, the Royals have taken a 2-1 lead in this best-of-five series - pushing Cincinnati to the brink of a playoff exit. However, since 2007, the Cyclones have posted an 8-2 record in elimination games.
TONIGHT'S PROMOTION: $1 John Morrell Hot Dogs.
SCOUTING THE ROYALS: The Royals, who hold the second seed in the Eastern Conference, were the ECHL’s hottest offensive team during the regular season by averaging more than 3.5 goals per-game. So far in these Kelly Cup Playoffs, Ryan Cruthers and Olivier Labelle are Reading’s leading scorers, posting three points (2 goals, 1 assist) apiece. While their power play was ranked third in the league during the regular season, they have struggled with the man advantage through the first three games of the playoffs - connecting on just one of 16 chances. Goaltender Matt Dalton, who sported a 2.86 goals-against average (GAA) during the regular year, posted his first career playoff shutout last night by turning aside 28 Cincinnati shots. He has now held the Cyclones scoreless for the last 90:24.
Bonus Hockey, Anyone?: The Cyclones finished with the third-most overtime games played this season, skating in 18 of them. Over the last four years in postseason play, Cincinnati’s overtime record stands at 6-4...three of those victories were series-winners as well. On Wednesday night, they played in their longest postseason game in franchise history...going 88:15. In fact, it was the ninth-longest playoff overtime in the ECHL since 2007.
No Learning Curve Here: In the first two games of this series, several Cyclones rookies have made contributions. Garrett Suter, Sam D’Agostino and Eric Kattelus each have had a two-point game...all three are tied atop the ECHL rookie playoff scoring list. Suter and D’Agostino have three points each while Kattelus has two.
Plenty of Playoff Experience: This year’s Cyclones team, although young, has several players with a postseason pedigree. Of the 12 non-rookies on the Cyclones active playoff roster, all but three of them have at least one game of Kelly Cup Playoff experience. Not surprisingly, Barret Ehgoetz and Mathieu Aubin are the franchise leaders in playoff scoring. Ehgoetz has 48 playoff points (19 goals, 29 assists) while Aubin sits directly behind him with 38 points (16 goals, 22 assists).
Grab the Lead and Go: During the 2010-11 season, Cincinnati was 24-6-5 when scoring the game’s first goal. Over the past four playoff years, the trend has been similar, The ‘Clones are 29-5 in playoff games since 2007 when striking first.
Playoff Closers: Since the Cyclones resumed ECHL play in 2006, they have skated in 72 postseason games. During that time frame, they have been perfect when leading after two periods...posting an incredible 31-0 record. They have also been very efficient when facing elimination...going 8-2 since 2007 in such situations.
PLAYOFF SERIES (Reading Leads Best-of-Five Series, 2-1)
Game 1 Apr 5 Cincinnati 5 at Reading 2 Final
Game 2 Apr 6 Cincinnati 4 at Reading 5 Final 2OT
Game 3 Apr 8 Reading 3 at Cincinnati 0 Final
Game 4 Apr 9 Reading at Cincinnati 7:30 PM EDT
Game 5 Apr 11 Cincinnati at Reading 7:05 PM EDT (if necessary)
SEASON SERIES (4 Meetings)
Nov. 24 Cincinnati 3 at Reading 4 Final OT
Nov. 26 Cincinnati 3 at Reading 4 Final OT
Dec. 15 Reading 2 at Cincinnati 1 Final SOL OT
Mar. 2 Reading 2 at Cincinnati 3 Final