For Immediate Release: February 20, 2017
CYCLONES CLIP WINGS IN MATINEE SHOWDOWN
Cincinnati Spoils Kalamazoo’s School Day Game with Third Straight Win
Kalamazoo, MI- The Cincinnati Cyclones (26-23-4-0) earned a 3-2 win over the Kalamazoo Wings on Monday morning. Forwards Tommy Mele and Christiaan Minella, along with defenseman Jaynen Rissling recorded the goals for the Cyclones, who return the favor to the Wings after Kalamazoo beat Cincinnati in the Cyclones’ Field Trip game back in November.
After a scoreless opening period, Kalamazoo opened up the scoring midway through the second while on the power play when Justin Taylor found the back of the net to put the Wings up, 1-0.
Cincinnati was not deterred and managed to tie the game with under five to play in the middle frame, when Mele took the puck following a Kalamazoo turnover behind net, and he slid it in past Wings goaltender Joel Martin to tie the game, 1-1, through 40 minutes.
The Cyclones wasted little time taking the lead in the third, as just 1:24 in, Rissling took a shot on net that was turned aside by Martin, but the rebound came right to Minella who jammed it in to put Cincinnati ahead, 2-1.
Roughly three minutes later Cincinnati added to their lead when Rissling held the puck in at the left blue line and launched a seeing-eye shot that found the back of the net to extend Cincinnati’s advantage to 3-1.
The Wings continued to battle and pulled to within a goal near the midway mark of the frame when Taylor potted his second power play marker of the day, however that was all the offense Kalamazoo was able to muster as the Cyclones withstood a late Wings charge to hang on for the 3-2 win.
It was another busy night for Cyclones goaltender Michael Houser who turned aside 37 of the 39 shots he faced to collect his eighth win in the last nine starts. Cincinnati returns home on Wednesday night in the first of two games this week against the Wichita Thunder. Face-off is scheduled 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!
