CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Gwinnett Gladiators (6-2 playoffs) evened the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semifinals series at two games apiece by defeating the Cincinnati Cyclones (6-4 playoffs) by a 4-2 final score in front of 2,302 at U.S. Bank Arena on Friday night.

The Gladiators jumped out to an early lead when Domenic Monardo knocked a rebound past the glove of net minder Michael Houser (L, 31 saves, 6-4) just 5:57 into the opening frame. Casey Pierro-Zabotel made it 2-0 in the closing minutes of the first period during a five-on-three power play by redirecting a Sacha Guimond shot into the back of the net. The home team headed to the locker room for the first intermission facing a two-goal deficit.

The scoring continued for Gwinnett in the middle stanza as Zabotel wrapped around the Cincinnati goal and fed a pass to Doug Jones on the other side of the crease for a scoring strike at the 3:35 mark. Cincinnati showed some fight by scoring 21 seconds later to cut the Gladiator edge to 3-1; Trevor Lewis deflected a David MacDonald shot past the stick side of Gwinnett goaltender Louis Domingue (W, 39 saves, 6-2). With only 46 seconds left in the second period, Evan Bloodoff extended the visiting team’s lead back to three goals when he finished a two-on-one break by slipping the puck by Houser’s right side. The Gladiators held the 4-1 cushion after the first 40 minutes were complete.

At 7:48 of the final period, David Pacan cut the score in half when he grabbed the rebound off a MacDonald point offering, spun around, and sent a wrist shot past the blocker of Domingue. The Cyclones rattled off 18 shots on net in the third, but were unable light the lamp the rest of the way and fell by the 4-2 final score.

The Cyclones Radio Network Stars of the Game are as follows:

First Star: Casey Pierro-Zabotel (2 goals, 1 assist for Gwinnett)
Second Star: Doug Jones (1 goal, 1 assist, game winning goal for Gwinnett)
Third Star: Trevor Lewis (1 goal for Cincinnati)

The Cyclones and Gladiators will continue their best-of-seven series at U.S. Bank Arena TOMORROW night at 7:30pm for Game 5, featuring $1 John Morrell Hot Dogs!! Call 513.421.PUCK or visit CyclonesHockey.com to reserve your seats! On-air coverage of the action can be heard on the Cyclones Radio Network (FM 100 The FAN, America One, CyclonesHockey.com) starting at 7:15pm. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).

Click here to view tonight's box score