Cincinnati pulls away for victory over Storm

12/22/2006

CINCINNATI Cory Urquhart netted a goal and assisted on three others as the Cyclones defeated the Storm 5-2.

Like the previous meeting between the two teams, the Cyclones (13-10-2) grabbed the early lead as Jon Gleed blasted a shot from the blue line past Storm goaltender Dominic Vicari making it 1-0 Cincinnati. The power-play goal for Gleed came on the Cyclones first of three man-advantages in the opening period.

The Storm (12-10-1) was able to seize momentum right out of the gate in the second period, as Mike James knocked home a rebound past Cyclones goalie Cedrick Desjardins to tie the score 1-1 at the 2:49 mark.

Matt Zultek and Chris Blight added the assists on the game-tying goal.

Then, just 90 seconds later, Toledo grabbed a lead when Jason Maleyko lifted the puck over Desjardins to give his team a 2-1 lead.

However, the Cyclones regained control for the remainder of the period, scoring three times to take a two goal lead.

At 9:08, Rory Rawlyk notched his second goal of the season to tie the game at 2, followed by a Barrett Ehgoetz tally at 15:07 to put Cincinnati ahead 3-2. Finally, Gleed floated the puck past Vicari with just 1:06 left in the period to put the Cyclones up 4-2 through 40 minutes.

After two consecutive Cyclones power plays to begin the third period, Cincinnati added to its total when Cory Urquhart scored his team-leading 15th goal of the season at 10:14 of the final frame.

The three-goal lead was more than enough for Cincinnati.

Two Storm rookies have played more like veteran captains this season and they have been awarded for phenomenal starts to their pro careers.

Right winger Jamie Tardif and center Andrew Martin were named to the ECHL All-Star team yesterday. The young forwards rank first and second on the team in scoring this season.

Tardif, a 21-year-old from Welland, Ont., leads the Storm with 20 points. Tardif has eight goals and 12 assists.

Martin, 23, is tied for second on the team with 19 points. The Brampton, Ont., native has eight goals and 11 assists.

The rookies have been teamed up on the same line along with veteran Matt Zultek, who is tied with Martin in points (7 G, 12 A).

Tardif, who is averaging nearly a point per game, is ranked second on the team with five power-play points and has taken more shots (90) than any other Storm player. Tardif has the fifth most points among first-year players in the ECHL.

Martin, who has played in 17 of 22 games, is averaging more than a point per game. He has two game-winning goals and is ranked sixth among rookies in points.

Tardif and Martin are two of 12 rookies on the American Conference team.

Wheeling forward Sean Collins is the only player who will play in his second all-star game. Collins was named a starter along with Dayton goalie Adam Berkhoel.

The 15th annual ECHL All-Star Game will be held Jan. 17 at Qwest Arena in Boise.