Wings Fly Past Cyclones, 5-2

CINCINNATI, Ohio – A two-goal night by Matt Caria highlighted a 5-2 win for the Kalamazoo Wings (17-15-1-2) over the Cincinnati Cyclones (19-15-0-4) in front of 8,129 at U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday night.

The Wings drew first blood just 46 seconds into the opening period when Matt Caria got loose in slot and sniped in his 10th goal of the season past Sam Brittain (L, 15 saves, 11-7-0-1) to make it 1-0. The Cyclones answered back, though, at 8:28 when Steven Hodges finished off a two-on-none rush with Branden Gracel by burying his third goal as a Cyclone to knot things at one. Unfortunately, the Wings would pull back out in front just 1:27 later when Lane Scheidl beat Brittain with a wrist shot from the right circle, making it 3-2 Kalamazoo. Justin Taylor gave his team a two-goal edge at 17:35 by lifting a shot over Brittain and into the shelf after catching a pass from Curtis Valk at the top of the crease. The Wings led it 3-1 after 20 minutes.

Despite outshooting the Wings 15-4 in the middle frame, the Cyclones were unable to solve Joel Martin (W, 35 saves, 13-8-1-1) as the score remained 3-1 in favor of the visiting club.

Just 48 seconds into the final stanza, the Wings pulled ahead by three when Caria tucked home his second goal of the night to make it a 4-1 game. Cincinnati got one back at 5:02 when Joe Basaraba directed home his sixth lamplighter of the season, clawing the Cyclones to within a pair. Unfortunately, though, the Wings would deliver the final blow at 15:12 when Ray Kaunisto raced in on a breakaway after coming out of the penalty box and deposited his third of the year to cap the scoring at 5-2. Kalamazoo would win it by the same margin.

The Cyclones will be back on the ice at U.S. Bank Arena on Wednesday, January 28 when they welcome in the Elmira Jackals at 7:30pm! In addition to $1 beers for fans 21 and up, we'll celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the classic TV series, "Seinfeld"! 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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