For Immediate Release: December 3, 2016
CYCLONES TAKE DOWN MAVERICKS IN THRILLING FASHION
Cincinnati Earns Second in a Row in Come-From-Behind Shootout Win
Cincinnati, OH- The Cincinnati Cyclones (9-9-2-0) collected a 4-3 shootout win over the Missouri Mavericks on Saturday night, in front of 9,016 at U.S. Bank Arena on Teddy Bear Toss Night. Defenseman Jaynen Rissling, along with forwards Andrew Yogan and Peter LeBlanc netted the goals for Cincinnati.
The two teams came out firing in the first period, with both getting numerous quality scoring chances. The Cyclones struck first late in the frame when forward Brandon McNally sent a pass to Rissling at the left point, and he hammered a slapshot past Missouri netminder Josh Robinson to give the Cyclones a 1-0 lead, and cause it to rain down teddy bears onto the ice.
Cincinnati took that 1-0 into the locker room after 20 minutes, and in the second Cincinnati dominated the flow of play, outshooting the Mavericks 20-4 in the frame. The Cyclones extended their lead to two goals midway through the second, when a pass from forward Shane Walsh found Yogan in the slot and he slid the puck past Robinson to give the Cyclones a 2-0 edge after two periods.
The Mavericks exploded in the third period, getting back-to-back goals from forward Darren Nowick to tie the game, 2-2, 5:25 into the final frame. Missouri took their first lead of the night 23 seconds later when forward Dane Fox banked a shot from below the goal line off the back of Cyclones goaltender Michael Houser and into the net to give Missouri a 3-2 lead.
The Cyclones were not deterred, and less than a minute after the Mavericks took the lead Cincinnati pulled back even with Missouri when forward Colin Mulvey brought the puck over the right wing blue line and dropped a pass to LeBlanc who wristed a shot past Robinson to tie the game, 3-3.
The offense and physicality picked up as the third period rolled along, with both teams dishing out hits and receiving numerous Grade A scoring chances. Both goaltenders were up to the task however, and the two sides ended regulation tied, 3-3.
In overtime Cincinnati continued to get some quality scoring opportunities, including several while on the power play in the late stages of the extra session. Neither team was able find the back of the net, and the game headed to a shootout.
In the skills completion, Cincinnati received goals from LeBlanc, along with forwards Andrew Yogan and Tommy Mele, while Houser stopped four of the six shots he faced to lift Cincinnati to a 4-3 shootout win.
Cincinnati outshot the Mavericks, 41-35, with Houser turning aside 32 to collect the win. The Cyclones continue their six-game homestand on Wednesday night against the Ft. Wayne Komets. Face-off is slated for 7:35pm ET.
The 2016-17 season is underway, and the Cincinnati Cyclones want you along for the ride as they march towards another Kelly Cup Championship! 2016-17 single game tickets and packages along with group and Season Ticket Packages are available NOW! Call (513) 421-PUCK to reserve your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
