CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The Charlotte Checkers fell behind by three early in the game and could not recover as they were defeated, 4-1, by the Cincinnati Cyclones on Wednesday night in Ohio.
David Marshall picked up the lone goal for the Checkers while Barret Ehgoetz and Scott Reynolds each recorded a goal and an assist for the North Division-leading Cyclones. Miika Wiikman, who entered the game midway through the first period in relief of Ryan Munce, stopped 17 of 18 shots.
Just under four minutes into the game, Cincinnati opened the scoring on a goal by Chris Morehouse. Morehouse took the puck in the high slot and fired a shot over the glove of Munce for his third of the season.
The Cyclones would go ahead by two, four minutes later, when the Checkers were unable to clear the zone, resulting in a turnover. The puck made its way back to the point and Cincinnati defenseman Dwayne Zinger let go a slap shot. Munce stopped the shot with his left pad, but Matt Pierce was on the doorstep to stuff home the rebound for his team-leading 23rd tally of the season.
Cincinnati then went ahead 3-0, before the game was 10 minutes old, when leading scorer Ehgoetz stripped a Charlotte defender behind the net and fed Reynolds in the slot. Reynolds made no mistake and found the back of net, ending the night for Munce as he was pulled from the game.
The goaltending change seemed to work as Charlotte cut the Cyclones’ lead to 3-1 just 29 seconds later. Mike Taylor forced a giveaway with a hard forecheck in the Cincinnati end and fed the puck out front to David Marshall, who converted for his ninth of the season.
In the second period, both teams were awarded their first power plays of the game but were unable to score with the man-advantage. The Cyclones held a 25-17 shot advantage through 40 minutes of play.
Early in the third, Cincinnati would score to regain the three-goal lead. Ian McKenzie dropped a pass to Reynolds who put the puck on net and Ehgoetz was there to pot the rebound.
Tempers flared following the goal as Cyclones forward Dustin Sproat took exception to a Jean-Philipp Chabot hit and earned himself an instigator penalty. The Checkers were unable to score on the ensuing power play and Cincinnati goaltender Robert Mayer turned aside the remaining six shots he faced for the 4-1 win.
The Checkers (22-14-5) will continue their northern road trip in Johnstown Friday before returning on Thursday, Feb. 4 to host the Florida Everblades Ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com.
