MAYER NAMED CO-MVP FOR POST-SEASON PLAY

PRINCETON, N.J. - Cincinnati goaltenders Jeremy Smith and former Saint John Sea Dog Robert Mayer were named co-Most Valuable Players of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs last night.

Mayer made 22 saves as the Cincinnati Cyclones captured the East Coast Hockey League’s Kellt Cup.

“Some people counted us out, but we didn’t,” Mayer said after the game to Cincinnati.com.

Smith appeared in 17 playoff games, posting a record of 9-8 with one shutout, a 2.67 goals-against average and a save percentage of .907.

Mayer appeared in nine games with a 6-1 record, three shutouts, a 1.54 goals-against average and a save percentage of .938. He played all five games of the Finals going 4-1 with one shutout, a 1.68 goals-against average and a save percentage of .933.

"I think you have to believe. If we didn't believe, we didn't do it," Mayer said to NHL.com about coming back for a 3-0 series deficit in the semi-final. "We thought we could wear them down. The bounces started to go our way."

"For me, it's the same thing. It doesn't matter if it's the playoffs," he said. "So far, it's been pretty successful. You get excited -- nervous, too. I don't really think about it. I just think about winning the game."

This is the fourth straight year that a goaltender has won the Kelly Cup Most Valuable Player Award as Smith and Mayer join Idaho's Steve Silverthorn (2007), Cincinnati's Cedrick Desjardins (2008) and South Carolina's James Reimer.

-With files from ECHL.com