Solar Bears lose nail-biter 2-1 to Cincinnati

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Mickey Lang knotted the game at 1-1 late in the third, but the Cyclones struck back before the end of the regulation to take a 2-1 victory over the Solar Bears at the US Bank Arena on Wednesday night.

Cincinnati came out firing in the first period, but G Maxime Clermont turned away all 15 shots he faced to keep the game scoreless going into the second period. Cincinnati eventually found a way to break through in the middle frame. D Mike Dalhuisen blasted the puck from the left point and F Jonathan Hazen redirected a shot from the top of the goal crease at 8:46 to give the Cyclones a 1-0. The Solar Bears made a strong push to tie the game with a late period power play, but G Rob Madore stood strong to hold the 1-0 Cincinnati lead heading into the third.

Lang tied the game for Orlando with 6:40 remaining in the third. F Jacob Cepis forced the puck free with a tenacious forechecking effort and F Mike Ullrich scooped up the loose puck. Ullrich then moved a pass to Lang at the top of the crease and he one-timed the puck past Madore to even the score at 1-1. The Cyclones found the game-winner with just 3:25 left to play, as F Byron Froese stole the puck in the attacking end and quickly fired a shot under the bar to give Cincinnati the 2-1 victory.

Three Stars: 1. B. Froese (CIN); 2. R. Madore (CIN); 3. M. Lang (ORL)
Power Plays: ORL: 0/3; CIN: 0/2
Shots: ORL: 24; CIN: 30

Notes:
D Evan Renwick made his professional playoff debut tonight... F Scott Tanski made his Solar Bears playoff debut... The Cyclones now lead the series 3-0 over Orlando... G Maxime Clermont stopped 28 of the 30 shots he faced in the game... The two power play surrendered by Orlando were the most they have given up in single game this post-season.

WFTV