CINCINNATI, Ohio – Maxime Clermont's 38 saves proved to be just enough as the Orlando Solar Bears (7-6-2-0) narrowly defeated the Cincinnati Cyclones (4-4-0-2) by a 5-3 final score in front of 2,936 at U.S. Bank Arena on Tuesday morning.
The Solar Bears jumped ahead 1-0 when Eric Baier took a shot from the right circle that beat Sam Brittain (L, 21 saves, 2-2-0) over the shoulder at 5:21. Then, with heavy traffic in front of the net, Baier's point blast found the back of the cage to extend Orlando's lead to a pair. At the other end of the ice, the Cyclones peppered 16 shots on goaltender Maxime Clermont (W, 38 saves, 3-2-0) but couldn't light the lamp and trailed it by the 2-0 score through 20 minutes.
The Cyclones cut the deficit to one early into the middle stanza when Wade Megan buried a rebound at 7:35, making it a 2-1 game. Unfortunately, the Solar Bears would find the net as well at 15:23 when Denver Manderson sniped a wrist shot over Brittain's left shoulder to give his team a 3-1 edge after two.
Cincinnati once again pulled to within a strike at 6:48 of the final frame when, during a delayed penalty, Josh Shalla barreled his way to the slot and slammed in his fifth goal of the season, making it 3-2. The Solar Bears answered back just 1:05 later, though, to re-extend the edge to a pair as Carl Nielsen tallied his first goal of the season from the left circle. On yet another delayed penalty, the Cyclones made it a 4-3 tilt with Megan's second of the night - a cannon blast from the outside that sailed past Clermont at 9:34. In the final few minutes, Cincinnati was awarded a power play when Nielsen was called for roughing and set up what appeared to be the game-tying goal. However, after the Cyclones forced the puck into the net, it was ruled that play had already been whistled dead after the scramble in the crease. Then, at 19:53, Ryan Rupert collected an empty net goal to seal a 5-3 win for Orlando.
The Cyclones will be back on the ice at U.S. Bank Arena this Friday night as they welcome in the Evansville IceMen for the first time this season at 7:30pm! In addition to a great night of hockey and $1 John Morrell Hot Dogs, the first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive an exclusive Cyclones Oven Mitt! Plus, it will be the first Pucks & Pints Pregame Beer Tasting event, featuring live music from Ben Knight & The Well Diggers. Call 513.421.PUCK to secure your seats and for more details. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram!
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Cyclones Drop Close 5-3 Decision to Orlando
