CINCINNATI, Ohio – Rookie Sam D’Agostino buried his second game winner in as many contests at the 0:34 mark of overtime to give the Cincinnati Cyclones (3-5-2-1) a 2-1 victory over the Toledo Walleye (3-4-1-1) in front of 2,169 at U.S. Bank Arena on Wednesday night.
The Cyclones struck first when, after receiving a beautiful Dylan Hunter pass, Christiaan Minella blasted home his second of the season past Walleye goalie Scott Campbell (L, 17 saves, 2-2-1-1) to make it 1-0 Cincinnati at the 15:22 mark. The lead wouldn’t last long, however, as Ryan Stokes found himself in the right place at the right time when a blocked shot rebounded right to the Toledo defenseman. Stokes sent it past Cyclones netminder Marc Cheverie (W, 29 saves, 3-2-1-1) at 17:44 to even things at 1-1 heading into the first intermission.
Both teams traded several chances in the second period, but neither was able to find the net – although Cincinnati outshot the Walleye 9-6 in the middle frame. In the third, however, the chances were much more lopsided. Toledo peppered Cheverie with 13 shots in the final frame of regulation, and he stood tall on all of them – forcing the game into overtime.
Early into the extra session, Barret Ehgoetz and Brian O’Hanley helped pick up a turnover at the Toledo blue line and sent it onto Campbell from 60 feet. But the rebound came right out to D’Agostino who easily slammed in the game-winner at the 0:34 mark to earn his fourth goal of the season and seal a 2-1 Cyclones victory. It was the second time this year that Cincinnati has won a game in overtime.
Cincinnati’s penalty kill was superb once again tonight, eliminating three out of four Walleye power plays.
The Cyclones Radio Network Three Stars of the Game were as follows:
1) Sam D’Agostino (Game-winning goal)
2) Marc Cheverie (29 saves, winning goalie)
3) Scott Campbell (17 saves, losing goalie)
The same two clubs reunite for their third meeting of the season this Friday at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. Hear the game live on MAX-FM beginning with Cyclones Warm-Up at 6:45pm with the opening faceoff at 7:00pm.
The defending Kelly Cup Champions will return home this Saturday night for “Throwback Night” against the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7:30pm. The Cyclones will wear special-edition retro jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game. Tickets for the Throwback Night are only $8. In addition to $1 John Morrell Hotdogs, $1 Donatos Pizza, and $1 Soda, the first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive a Schedule Poster courtesy of The Plastic Surgery Group. Discounted ticket packages and single game tickets for the 2010-2011 season are available now. For more information, call 513.421.PUCK (7825) or visit CyclonesHockey.com.
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