Blades fall to Cyclones 3-2
It was not the repeat performance the Florida Everblades had hoped for as they lost to the Cincinnati Cyclones 3-2 Friday night at Germain Arena.
After dominating the Cyclones Wednesday, the Blades were looking to carry that momentum into Friday’s game, but familiar problems – slow starts and untimely penalties – returned.
“I feel like its deja vu,” said an upset Blades coach Malcolm Cameron. “It feels like every time I come in to (talk to the media) I have to talk about a bad start to the first period of a hockey game.”
While on a power play just 1:42 in to the game, Florida’s defense broke down, allowing the Cyclones (28-18-5) to skate up ice in a two-man rush at goaltender Anton Khudobin (21 saves). After Khudobin kicked the first shot away, the rebound found Matt Syroczynski, who scored easily.
Despite the early shorthanded goal, the Blades (34-13-2) managed to carry a tie into the second period thanks to Mathieu Roy’s 18th goal of the season near the midway mark.
Cincinnati goaltender Ryan Nie turned away 35 of 36 shots.
The Blades’ second goal came in the third period by Mark Lee, who narrowed the gap to 3-2 with 2 1/2 minutes to go.
The teams go at it again for the third time in four nights at Germain Arena Saturday night.
Blades Record 34-13-2
Home: 16-7 Away: 18-6-2 Streak: L-1
Friday’s Game
Cincinnati Cyclones 3, Everblades 2
Upcoming Games
Sat., Feb. 14 – Cincinnati at Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Tues., Feb. 17 – Florida at Charlotte, 7 p.m.
Thu., Feb. 19 – Florida at Charlotte, 7 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 21 – Florida at Charlotte, 7 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 22 – Florida at Gwinnett, 4:05 p.m.