Cyclones Pluck Wings in Shootout, 4-3

CINCINNATI, Ohio – Mathieu Aubin’s goal in round four of the shootout sealed the Cincinnati Cyclones (23-21-6-3) 4-3 win over the Kalamazoo Wings (27-20-2-4) in front of 2,204 at U.S. Bank Arena on Wednesday night.  Chet Pickard turned aside three of four shots in the shootout to earn the win.

The Wings opened the scoring at the 3:52 mark when Dean Strong snuck into the Cincinnati zone and wristed one past Cyclones netminder Chet Pickard (W, 23 saves, 9-11-2) for a 1-0 lead.  Cincinnati answered back at 12:33 when Dan Eves tapped in his third goal in five games after catching a beautiful Carl Hudson pass to knot the score heading into the first intermission.

Early in the second period, the Wings jumped ahead as Patrick Asselin lifted a one-timer past Pickard for a 2-1 advantage.  Luckily, just like in the opening stanza, Cincinnati roared back; at the 15:06 mark, Hudson let loose a point-blast that beat Kalamazoo goalie Riley Gill (L, 39 saves, 9-6-0-1) for his first professional goal and a 2-2 tie.  Then, with less than 90 seconds left in the frame, Samsaon Mahbod stepped out from behind the net and banked a shot off of a Wings defenseman and into the net for a 3-2 Cyclones cushion through 40 minutes.

The lone goal of the third period came off of Andrew Fournier’s stick at the 15:57 mark to knot the score at three as he batted down a puck from mid-air.  Despite some late chances in the final minutes, the game was forced into overtime.  Both teams exchanged a pair of shots in the extra session but neither was able to find the net, so the tilt was decided in the shootout.  After allowing the an opening-round goal from Darryl Lloyd, Picakrd denied three consecutive shooters while Casey Pierro-Zabotel, Paul McIlveen, and Mathieu Aubin all found the net to earn the extra point – 4-3 the final.  Cincinnati’s record in overtime/shootout play climbs to 6-9.

The Cyclones Radio Network Three Stars of the Game are as follows:
1.    Mathieu Aubin (Game-ending goal in the shootout for Cincinnati)
2.    Carl Hudson (First professional goal, assist for Cincinnati)
3.    Andrew Fournier (Goal for Kalamazoo)
                                                               
The defending Kelly Cup Champions will return to U.S. Bank Arena this Friday, February 25, when they play host to the Greenville Road Warriors at 7:30pm.  The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive a Bob Herzog Bobblehead courtesy of Local 12.  2010-11 single game and discounted group tickets are available now.  2011-12 season tickets go on sale to the general public on March 5.  For more information, call 513.421.PUCK (7825) or visit CyclonesHockey.com.

Click here for tonight’s box score.