ORLANDO, Florida – Goaltender Patrick Killeen made 31 saves and backstopped the Orlando Solar Bears (28-33-3-4) to a 2-1 win over the Cincinnati Cyclones (41-21-5-3) in front of 9,329 at Amway Center on Sunday afternoon.
For the fifth consecutive game, the Cyclones scored the game’s first goal; at 4:48, Mike Embach redirected Matt Smyth’s shot from the right-wing boards and past Patrick Killleen (W, 31 saves, 10-12-3-4) to make it 1-0. However, the Solar Bears answered back with a power play goal from Michael Wilson at 8:50 to even things at one. The teams remained deadlocked through the opening period.
The Solar Bears grabbed their first lead of the night with 7:33 gone in the middle stanza as Derick Martin caught a pass in the high slot and sniped his first goal of the season over Michael Houser (L, 15 saves, 16-9-1-1) – making it 2-1. And despite outshooting Orlando 12-5 in the second period, the Cyclones trailed it 2-1 through 40 minutes.
Cincinnati had some tremendous opportunities to tie the game in the final period with three power play chances, however, Killeen and company stayed strong and denied the Cyclones the game-tying to seal a 2-1 victory.
The Cyclones Radio Network Stars of the Game are as follows:
First Star: Patrick Killeen (Winning goaltender, 31 saves)
Second Star: Derick Martin (1 goal , game winner, for Orlando)
Third Star: Michael Wilson (1 goal for Orlando)
The Cyclones will return to the ice at U.S. Bank Arena on Friday, March 29 when they host the Evansville IceMen at 7:30pm! The game will also feature Cincinnati’s Largest Fish Fry! Call 513.421.PUCK or visit CyclonesHockey.com to reserve your seats! Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).
Click here for tonight's box score.
Cyclones Fall in Orlando, 2-1
