For Immediate Release: October 17, 2015
OFFENSE ON DISPLAY AS CYCLONES WIN SEASON OPENER
Seven Players Record Points As Cincinnati Off to Winning Start
CINCINNATI, OH-The Cincinnati Cyclones (1-0-0-0) picked up a 5-1 win over the Toledo Walleye on Saturday night. Forward Jack Downing had a pair of goals, while forwards Christiaan Minella, Joe Wilson, and Nick Huard each chipped in one for the Cyclones, who win their fourth straight season opener, and second season opener in a row against Toledo.
The Cyclones wasted little time getting on the board, as just 1:02 into the opening period, forward Andrew Yogan skated around the Walleye net on a wrap around attempt, and slid the puck to Downing who tipped it past Walleye goaltender Jake Patterson, giving the Cyclones a 1-0 lead.
That lead held up throughout the remainder of a very physical first period, and in the second, Cincinnati pushed that lead to 2-0, when defenseman Riley Weselowski sent a pass to Minella who skated in on Patterson and fired a wrister past him, 5:49 into the second.
The third period saw more offense from the Cyclones, as midway through the frame, Yogan fanned on a shot attempt but the puck went right to Wilson who launched it past Patterson, extending the Cyclones’ lead to 3-0. The goal marked the first of Wilson’s professional hockey career.
After a power play goal from Walleye forward Alden Hirschfeld cut Cincinnati’s lead to 3-1, Downing potted an empty netter for his second tally of the night, putting the Cyclones back up by three, 4-1, with under three minutes left in the game.
Cincinnati capped off the big night with just 15.5 seconds remaining in the frame, when Huard skated in on a 2-on-1 rush and fired a shot past Patterson, sealing the 5-1 win.
Cincinnati outshot Toledo, 31-26 on the night, while the powerplay was held scoreless on all five of its chances. Cyclones netminder Brad Thiessen was stellar in net, stopping 25 of the 26 shots he faced in the win.
Cincinnati wraps up their brief two-game, season-opening home stand next Saturday night against the Kalamazoo Wings. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:30pm.
The countdown to the 2015-16 First Face-Off is underway! The Cyclones will return to U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday, October 17 when they host the Toledo Walleye at 7:30pm. Be sure to check out one of our 2015-16 Ticket Packages, available NOW! Call 513.421.PUCK to reserve your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram!
