Tuesday, February 22, 2000
Cyclones thump 'Jacks
BY JOHN P. WISE
Enquirer contributor
In an IHL Eastern Conference and intra-state battle Monday afternoon, Cleveland and Cincinnati turned to a pair of veterans.
Cyclone Todd Hawkins outdueled Cleveland's Jock Callander as the home team earned a 4-1 victory over the Lumberjacks. Cincinnati moves into fourth place, one point ahead of idle Milwaukee, and eight points behind Cleveland. It was the Cyclones' third win in their last four.
Hawkins scored his ninth goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1 in the opening period. He then assisted on linemate Todd Simon's 12th goal less than three minutes later to give the Cyclones a lead they'd never lose.
Ian MacNeil added an insurance goal .with 7:33 left and Gilbert Dionne scored into an empty net in the final minute.
“I haven't been playing that much lately,” said Hawkins, who will retire this year after his 11th IHL season, five with Cincinnati. “I'm healthy right now, so whenever I can help the team in any way it's nice.”
Callander assisted on the game's first goal, scored by Chris Longo less than three minutes in. The assist gave Callander the all-time record for points in an IHL career, with 1,383. Callander had broken the record earlier, but a discrepancy was found in the total. Monday's assist made it official.
“The first time it happened, it was on a winning note,” Callander said. “I wish we could have beaten the Cyclones this time. But it's nice to get it over with, so now we can focus on the rest of the season.”
Cyclones coach Ron Smith was pleased.
“It was a good game for us to win against a team we're chasing for that coveted third spot,” Smith said. The third seed in the East is the final playoff spot awarded a first-round bye.
Cleveland ....... 1 0 0—1
Cincinnati ....... 2 0 2—4
First period: Cle, Longo 12 (Rohloff, Callander) 2:52; Cin, Hawkins 9 (Simon, Felsner) 14:15 (ppg); Cin, Simon 12 (Dionne, Hawkins) 17:01.
Second period: None.
Third period: Cin, MacNeil 12 (unassisted) 12:27; Cin, Dionne 24 (unassisted) 19:34.
Shots on goal: Cle, 7-8-6-21; Cin, 12-6-10-28. Power plays: Cle, 0-for-6; Cin, 1-for-5. Goalies: Cle, Lamothe (24 saves); Cin, Pelletier (20). Att: 3,458.
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