CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Cincinnati Cyclones (26-19-1-7) rattled off four unanswered goals in the final two periods to defeat the Kalamazoo Wings (30-19-2-4) in come-from-behind fashion by a 5-3 final score in front of 5,935 at U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday night. It was the fourth largest crowd to watch a game at 100 Broadway this season.
Cincinnati drew first blood at 17:54 of the opening period when Dan Eves lit the lamp for the 12th time this season, lifting a turnaround wrist shot over Wings goalie Maxime Clermont (L, 22 saves, 10-10-1-1) for a 1-0 Cyclones lead. However, Kalamazoo potted a pair of goals just 1:43 apart as Dustin Cloutier and Eric Kattelus both tallied to push the Wings ahead 2-1 after 20 minutes.
In the middle stanza, Brian Haczyk extended Kalamazoo’s lead to 3-1 as he blasted in a shot from just inside the right circle at 2:53. Mathieu Aubin was dragged down from behind by a Kalamazoo defender, setting up a penalty shot at 13:28; the Cincinnati captain cut down the middle and sniped a shot over Clermont for the first penalty shot goal of the season for Cincinnati, making it a 3-2 game. Then, at 17:40, Aubin struck again with a low wrist shot that found the net to knot things at three. Just 40 seconds later, Matt Sisca finished off a three-on-one odd man break for Cincinnati by batting in his 18th goal of the year to give the Cyclones a 4-3 edge at the second intermission.
In the third period, Kalamazoo peppered Chet Pickard (W, 36 saves, 10-10-0-2) with 13 shots but the Cincinnati net minder continued to shine between the pipes. He finished with his best outing of the season, making 36 saves. Then at 17:51, Sisca stole a puck away at center ice and went in alone on Clermont; after a quick deke, he fired a snap shot off the crossbar and into the net – sealing a 5-3 victory for Cincinnati. It was the Cyclones 14th come-from-behind win this season.
The Cyclones Radio Network Stars of the Game are as follows:
First Star: Mathieu Aubin (2 goals, 1 assist for Cincinnati)
Second Star: Matt Sisca (2 goals for Cincinnati)
Third Star: Mike Pelech (2 assists for Cincinnati)
Cincinnati will wrap up their five-game week with a visit to the Toledo Walleye tomorrow afternoon at 4:00pm. Fans can hear all the action of the game on the Cyclones Radio Network (1160-AM, America One) beginning at 3:45pm.
The Cyclones will return to U.S. Bank Arena on Tuesday, February 28 as they will play host to the Greenville Road Warriors at 7:30pm. It will be another Big Beer Tuesday, with fans 21+ able to purchase 24-ounce beer for only $2! Plus, all fans will be able to enjoy $1 City BBQ sandwiches! Secure your seats now by calling 513.421.PUCK or log on to CyclonesHockey.com. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).
Click here to view tonight's box score.
Cyclones Rally to Clip Wings, 5-3
