Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati vs. Reading

Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati vs. Reading

CINCINNATI CYCLONES (9-6 PLAYOFFS)
vs.
READING ROYALS (10-5 PLAYOFFS)

READING LEADS BEST-OF-SEVEN SERIES 2-1


Click here for tonight's game note packet

DATE: Friday, May 10, 2013
TIME: 7:30pm ET
SITE: U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)
RADIO: FM 100 THE FAN (100.3 FM)

NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Reading Royals: Washington Capitals

NEXT HOME GAME (After Tonight)
Saturday, May 11 vs. Reading Royals - 7:30pm
KELLY CUP EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS - GAME 5 / KIDS EAT FREE PRESENTED BY JOHN MORRELL


TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: The Cyclones and Royals made history on Wednesday night, becoming the first best-of-seven series in Kelly Cup Playoff history to start with three straight overtime games. And for the first time in the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals - Cincinnati prevailed, as Mike Embach buried his team-leading third game-winning goal. Less than 48 hours later, it’s Game 4 at U.S. Bank Arena tonight.

TONIGHT'S PROMOTION: PUT YOUR SUMMER ON ICE! - Fans 21+ can enjoy $3 Leinenkugel Summer Shandy Beers!

SCOUTING THE ROYALS: Larry Courville’s club has played a ton of hockey over the last few weeks. Five of their last seven games have gone into overtime, and now have logged the equivalent of six regulation games over the last eight days. Their captain Yannick Tifu remains atop the Royals scoring leader board with 15 points (8 goals, 7 assists) in as many games - although he has been held to just one assist in this series. Alex Berry and T.J. Syner have each totaled four points in the three match-ups so far. Riley Gill suffered his first overtime defeat of the postseason in Game 3, turning aside 28 shots - running his record to 7-3 and his goals-against average to 1.97. Fellow net minder Mark Owuya hasn’t played yet in the series but holds a 3-2 playoff record with a 1.61 GAA.

About Game 3: For the third straight game, the Royals forced overtime with some third period offense. But unlike the previous two, the Cyclones prevailed as Mike Embach buried the game-winner at 16:24 of the extra session to give his team a 3-2 victory.

Multi-Point Madness: The Clones have found offense from all angles this postseason. All but two players have been able to put their name on the scoresheet. 13 different Cyclones have earned multi-point games during the Kelly Cup Playoffs - with Mike Embach leading the team in this category (6 MPG’s).

One is Big, Two is Bigger: During these playoffs, scoring first has been important - but not as important as getting the first two goals. The Clones are 4-2 when lighting the lamp first and 3-0 when pulling out to a two-goal edge to start the game. Conversely, they are 0-3 when falling behind by two.

PLAYOFF SERIES AT A GLANCE
Game 1 - at Reading - Cincinnati 4, READING 5 - Final 2OT
Game 2 - at Reading - Cincinnati 2, READING 3 - Final OT
Game 3 - at Cincinnati - CINCINNATI 3, Reading 2 - Final OT
Game 4 - at Cincinnati - Friday, May 10 - 7:30pm
Game 5 - at Cincinnati - Saturday, May 11 - 7:30pm
Game 6 - at Reading - Monday, May 13 - 7:05pm*
Game 7 - at Reading - Tuesday, May 14 - 7:05pm*
* if necessary

REGULAR SEASON SERIES (Final Record, 0-3)
Nov. 16 Reading 4 at Cincinnati 2 Final
Jan. 18 Cincinnati 1 at Reading 4 Final
Mar. 16 Cincinnati 2 at Reading 3 Final