Wednesday, April 05, 2000
Orlando 5, Cyclones 1
BY JOHN P. WISE
Enquirer contributor
If the Cyclones meet Orlando in the IHL Turner Cup playoffs, they might not mind giving up home-ice advantage to the Solar Bears.
Orlando's 5-1 dismantling of the Cyclones Tuesday night at Firstar Center ran its record to 4-1-1 in Cincinnati this season.
But Cincinnati has won four of the five games — all one-goal decisions — at Orlando. The regular season to determine the Eastern Conference's post-season pairings ends in 11 days.
“I guess it's good news if we play (Orlando) in the playoffs,” Cyclones coach Ron Smith said. “We'll have the extra game at their place.”
Orlando coach Peter Horachek acknowledged the oddness of the regular season series, but said the post-season will be a different ballgame.
“Both teams will be prepared when the playoffs start,” said Horachek, of Cincinnati's four remaining games against conference co-leader Grand Rapids. “We're trying for first place, so we're hoping Cincinnati will do us a favor and beat those guys.”
Erik Cole scored his first professional goal with 12:39 left to spoil former Miami University goalie Richard Shulmistra's shutout.
“I guess I got lucky,” said Cole, who has a point in each of his first three games since NHL parent Carolina signed him last week. “Orlando was paying more attention to Gilbert (Dionne) and Todd (Simon) since they're such prolific scorers.”
Orlando ....... 2 3 0—5
Cincinnati ....... 0 0 1—1
First period: Orl, Beaufait 27 (Murphy, Vasiljevs) 4:44 (ppg); Orl, Clark 9 (MacDonald, Snyder) 6:23.
Second period: Orl, Vasiljevs 23 (Murphy, Clark) 3:17 (shg); Orl, Adams 16 (Dreger, Vasiljevs) 14:25; Orl, Beaufait (2) 28 (Vasiljevs) 18:45.
Third period: Cin, Cole 1 (Tselios, Magliarditi) 7:21 (ppg).
Shots on goal: Orl, 8-11-10=29; Cin, 5-7-11=23. Goalies: Orl, Shulmistra (22 saves); Cin, Petruk (14 saves, 40 minutes); Magliarditi (10 saves, 20 minutes). Power plays: Orl, 1-for-5; Cin, 1-for-5.
Attendance: 8,949.
Sports Stories
Brewers 5, Reds 1
Neagle proves bad March meant nothing
Die-hard fans brave chill
Parris looking ahead, not back
REDS NOTEBOOK
Runs, box score
UC could be NCAA champs
Browns open new stadium
First-week bye won't help Bengals
Scott trains with Joyner-Kersee
