Saturday, April 08, 2000
Grand Rapids handcuffs Cyclones
BY JOHN WISE
Enquirer contributor
It's back to reality for the Cyclones. Cincinnati's IHL team lost another game to Eastern Conference leader Grand Rapids Friday at Firstar Center.
The 5-2 setback ensures the Cyclones cannot finish any higher than third place — where they stand now — in the conference.
The Cyclones had earned their first win in seven tries in the teams' last meeting three weeks ago. But Grand Rapids scored a goal with 1.8 seconds left in the opening period and three more between intermissions in handing Cincinnati its second straight loss. It also was the team's third loss in five games, after having gone 13-2-3 since Feb. 19.
“(Grand Rapids) looked the way we looked during our streak,” Cyclones coach Ron Smith said. “When you play them, you've got to get the lead or stay close.”
The Griffins got the late, first-period score when former Cyclone Ed Patterson knocked Cincinnati's Nikos Tselios into the boards just behind the home team's goal. Patterson gained control of the puck and centered it for teammate Konstantin Gorvikov. His one-timer beat goalie Marc Magliarditi just as the teams appeared headed to the locker room in a scoreless tie.
“We played a solid period, then to give up a late goal like that really sets you back a bit,” said Cincinnati right wing Todd Hawkins, well aware of the Cyclones' two-game slide against the teams above them in the conference. “We've got to beat these guys sooner or later.” The Cyclones had lost to Orlando 5-2 Tuesday at Firstar Center.
Grand Rapids ....... 1 3 1—5
Cincinnati ....... 0 0 2—2
First period: GR, Gorvikov 8 (Patterson, Baseggio) 19:58.
Second period: GR, Butsayev 25 (Nelson, King) 11:20; GR, Patterson 16 (Gorvikov, Baseggio) 13:01; GR, King 16 (Butsayev, Gruden) 18:43 (ppg).
Third period: Cin, Dandenault 4 (Hawkins, Dionne) 6:51; GR, Butsayev (2) 26 (King, Neil) 10:00; Cin, Adams 12 (MacNeil, Tselios) 19:17.
Shots on goal: GR, 6-8-5=19; Cin, 12-12-11=35. Goalies: GR, Fountain (33 saves); Cin, Magliarditi (14). Power plays: GR, 1-for-2; Cin, 0-for-4.
Attendance: 7,571.
TANABE RECALLED: After the game, Cincinnati rookie defenseman David Tanabe earned a promotion back to NHL parent Carolina, where he started the season. Tanabe will dress for the Hurricanes game tonight at Atlanta, and could rejoin the Cyclones if Carolina doesn't make the playoffs.
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