Cyclones Hammer IceMen, 4-0

CINCINNATI, Ohio – A remarkable defensive effort along with a third period outburst lifted the Cincinnati Cyclones (19-14-0-4) to a 4-0 win over the Evansville IceMen (11-23-3-2) in front of 3,821 at U.S. Bank Arena on Friday night.

The Cyclones thoroughly controlled the play in the opening period, holding the IceMen without a single shot on net through 20 minutes of play. Cincinnati broke the scoreless deadlock at 16:16 when Joe Basaraba slammed a one-timer past Scott Greenham (L, 27 saves, 1-4-1) to make it 1-0 after one.

Evansville needed another 7:42 to finally register their first shot on net, on their way to seven offerings in the middle period; however, Sam Brittain (W, 14 saves, 11-6-0-1) stayed perfect on the night while at the other end, Greenham kept the Cyclones off the scoreboard to keep the game at a one-goal margin through 40 minutes.

The Cyclones got back on the board at the 11:35 mark of the final period during a power play as Steven Hodges send a laser-accurate wrist shot past a screened Greenham to make it 2-0. Then, at 17:56, Joe Pendenza caught a long pass from David MacDonald at the offensive blue line, broke past the defense, and sniped home his first goal as a Cyclone - putting the game out of reach at 3-0. However, Geoff Irwin lit the lamp for the fourth straight game just ten seconds later by hammering in a shot from the mid-slot courtesy of a great feed from Zach Budish out of the corner, extending the runaway to 4-0. Cincinnati salted away the final minutes as Brittain earned his third shutout of the season. The 14 shots-allowed by the Cyclones on Friday night was the lowest they've surrendered in any single game this season.

The Cyclones will be back on the ice at U.S. Bank Arena TOMORROW night when they play host to the Kalamazoo Wings! The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive our first-ever Hockey Buddy! 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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