CINCINNATI,Ohio – The Fort Wayne Komets (44-16-2-4) erased a late two-goal deficit to defeat the Cincinnati Cyclones (28-28-2-7) in overtime by a 4-3 final score in front of 6,737 at U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday night.
Cincinnati drew first blood exactly 8:00 into the opening period when Joe Basaraba caught a perfect feed from Nick Huard and fired home his 11th goal of the year, beating Pat Nagle (W, 22 saves, 23-6-1-1) to make it 1-0. At the other end of the ice, Rob Madore (OTL, 26 saves, 13-17-2-6) stopped all eight shots he faced to keep his team ahead by one after 20 minutes.
The Komets pulled even at the 6:54 mark of the middle stanza when Eric Faille picked up a rebound after his initial shot was denied and lifted home his 24th goal of the year, knotting things at one. But just 1:12 later, Jack Combs set up Branden Gracel who cannoned in his 14th goal of the season to push the home team back ahead 2-1. While both clubs came close to adding to their totals, Cincinnati went into the second intermission ahead by the 2-1 score.
Cincinnati appeared to have put a strangle-hold on the game early into the third when Basaraba potted his second goal of the game at the 7:31 mark to make it 3-1. Unfortunately, the Komets would rally back to tie it with a pair of goals late in the frame, one from Shawn Szydlowski and one from Mike Embach over a 32 second span to deadlock things at three. As neither side could find the net before the horn, the tilt was sent into overtime to decide the victor.
With just under 90 seconds to play in the bonus period, Jack Combs was whistled for a tripping call - offering up a rare 4-on-3 power play for Fort Wayne. As they set up in the offensive zone, Embach fed Szydlowski across the middle who slammed in the game-winning goal at 4:05 of overtime to give the Komets a 4-3 come-from-behind win.
Cincinnati will round out its three-game weekend tomorrow afternoon when they visit the Wheeling Nailers in a big North Division match-up. The puck drops at 4:05pm with pregame coverage beginning on the Cyclones Radio Network at 3:45pm! Fans can also watch the game LIVE at Game Time Sports Bar and Grill in Cheviot at the Coors Light Viewing Party!
The Cyclones will be back on the ice at U.S. Bank Arena this Tuesday, March 31, when they play host to the Toledo Walleye at 7:30pm! Fans 21+ can enjoy $2 24-ounce beers all night long during our final Country Night of the season! 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!
Click here for tonight's box score
Komets Rally Past Cyclones in OT, 4-3
