The Northern Cyclones are the 2022-23 National Champions at the USPHL Premier level for the first time, taking the trophy after a 3-1 victory against the Charlotte Rush on Tuesday, March 28, at the Utica University Nexus Center in Utica, N.Y.
The Cyclones showed just how hungry they were, coming out storming with a goal 1:01 into the game by Karl Fredriksson, assisted by Hunter Dunn and James Vermeersch (the latter being the OT hero from their semifinal game against the Florida Eels).
The Charlotte Rush were down in the second, but not out, especially after Rhett Evjen made an outstanding steal and ripped one home for a goal.
Goaltender Jeffrey Fillion was the saving grace for the Cyclones, quite literally, as he turned away 47 of 48 Rush shots in the win.
In the end, it was Justin Tremblay who registered the game-winning goal at 5:25, assisted by Benji Orgil and goaltender Jeffrey Fillion.
And when it all came down to it, time had just run out for a valiant Charlotte comeback attempt, and the Cyclones stood supreme at No. 1.
