Monday, December 20, 1999
Cyclones' Fitzpatrick shuts down Vipers 4-0
The Cincinnati Enquirer
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Mark Fitzpatrick became the first Cyclones goaltender to record two straight shutouts as Cincinnati beat the Detroit Vipers 4-0 Sunday night at The Palace.
Fitzpatrick, who leads the IHL with four shutouts this season, has 13 in his career. He ranks fourth in the IHL with a 2.12 goals-against average and has a .928 save percentage, second-best in the league.
“Fitzpatrick was pretty good last night,” Cyclones coach said Ron Smith of Fitzpatrick's 18-save, 5-0 victory over Detroit Saturday night. “But tonight was exceptional.”
After a scoreless first period, Cincinnati took a 2-0 lead in the second. Todd Hawkins scored his seventh goal of the season at 3:54 and Shane Willis scored on a power play at 10:11, moving him into a tie for the IHL goal-scoring lead with 17.
Center Greg Koehler scored in the third period, giving him five goals this season. Center Ian MacNeil scored an empty-netter — his sixth goal of the season — to make the final score 4-0.
The Cyclones (16-11-3) remain in fifth place in the IHL's Eastern Conference, one point behind Orlando and 14 ahead of Michigan. Detroit falls to 8-21-2.
The Cyclones play the Chicago Wolves at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Firstar Center.
Cyclones ....... 0 2 2—4
Detroit ....... 0 0 0—0
First Period—No scoring.
Second Period—1. Cin, Hawkins 7 (Dionne) 3:54. 2. Cin, Willis 17 (Simon, Adams) 10:11 (p).
Third Period—3.Cin, Koehler 6 (Willis, Bancroft) 8:01. 4. Cin, MacNeil 5 (Dandenault) 18:22 (en).
Shots on Goal: Cin 8-12-8, Det 6-10-11. Power plays: Cin 1-7, Det 0-5. Cin, Fitzpatrick (27 saves); Det, Thomas (24).
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