CINCINNATI, Ohio – Mike Embach’s goal at 17:37 of the second period turned out to be the game winner as the Cincinnati Cyclones (8-4 playoffs) defeated the Gwinnett Gladiators (6-4 playoffs) by a 5-3 final score in front of 1,548 at U.S. Bank Arena on Tuesday night. The victory propelled the Cyclones into the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2010.
The Gladiators got the scoring started early into the contest. With just 2:09 elapsed, Justin Weller sent a wrist shot from the right side that was deflected into the net by Justin Bowers to take a 1-0 lead. Cincinnati evened the score at one goal apiece at the 8:19 mark when David Pacan knocked home a rebound past the pads of Gwinnett goalie Louis Domingue (L, 20 saves, 6-4). Less than three minutes later, David MacDonald pushed the Cyclones ahead by firing a shot into the back of the net after a receiving a cross-ice pass from Embach out of the corner. The 2-1 advantage marked the first time in the series that Cincinnati held a lead going into the first intermission.
Gwinnett didn’t take long in the middle frame to tie the tilt at 2-2. At 2:39 Bowers wrapped the puck around the goal to Doug Jones who had plenty of space to tuck it past the leg of Cyclones goaltender Michael Houser (W, 18 saves, 8-4). Rookie Sacha Guimond then launched a slap shot by Houser just 2:22 later to give the Gladiators their second lead of the night, at 3-2. John McFarland used a cannon blast of his own from the top of the right circle to knot the game at 3-3 with 8:52 remaining in the second period. After Andy Brandt was whistled for high sticking and Joey Haddad earned two minutes for elbowing, Cincinnati capitalized on a 5-on-3 power play to again jump in front by a goal. McFarland sent a crisp pass across the goal crease to Embach who slammed in the backdoor shot to light the lamp at 17:37. The Cyclones headed to the locker room up 4-3 after the 40 minutes of play.
Garrett Wilson upped the Cincinnati edge to 5-3 at the 13:50 mark of the third period by spinning a shot around and through Domingue’s legs. In the final minutes, the Gladiators pulled the goalie in an attempt to rally back; however, Cincinnati’s defense stayed strong and sealed the series-clinching win.
The Cyclones Radio Network Stars of the Game are as follows:
First Star: Mike Embach (Game winning goal, 2 assists for Cincinnati)
Second Star: John McFarland (1 goal, 1 assist for Cincinnati)
Third Star: David MacDonald (1 goal, 1 assist for Cincinnati)
The Cyclones will play host to either the Reading Royals or Florida Everblades in the Eastern Conference Finals. Should Reading prevail in their Game 7 tomorrow night to advance, the series would begin at Sovereign Center this Friday at 7:05pm. If Florida takes the final game of their series, the Cyclones will return to U.S. Bank Arena on Friday night to open the best-of-seven set against the Everblades! Call 513.421.PUCK or visit CyclonesHockey.com to reserve your seats! On-air coverage of the action can be heard on the Cyclones Radio Network (FM 100 The FAN, America One, CyclonesHockey.com) 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).
Click here to view tonight's box score
Cyclones Defeat Gwinnett 5-3, Advance Into Conference Finals
