KALAMAZOO, Michigan – Despite four unanswered goals by the Cincinnati Cyclones (1-3-0-0) in the third period, the Kalamazoo Wings (4-1-0-0) were able to squeak out a 6-5 victory in front of 3,422 at Wings Stadium on Saturday night.
The Wings jumped out to a lead midway through the opening frame when Steven Anthony slid home his second goal of the season past Cyclones goaltender Chet Pickard (L, 23 saves, 1-3-0-0) at the 9:44 mark. However, Cincinnati responded with a goal of its own just three minutes later as Anthony Luciani slammed home his first professional goal at 12:16 to knot the score at one. In the final half-minute of the first period, Trent Daavettila stepped into the Cincinnati zone and fired a shot on net, which was then deflected by Patrick Asselin past Pickard– giving the Wings a 2-1 cushion heading into the first intermission.
Kalamazoo exploded right out of the gate in the second period, as Anthony potted his second of the night just 17 seconds in to extend the Wings advantage to 3-1. That goal was followed by three more in the middle stanza; Asselin, Justin Taylor and Darryl Bootland each lit the lamp for the hometown Wings, as they leaped out to a 6-1 lead after 40 minutes of play.
As lopsided as the second period was in favor of Kalamazoo, the final frame of regulation was just as lopsided in favor of the Cyclones. Adam Comrie finally stopped the bleeding at the 5:37 mark to make it 6-2 Kalamazoo. Cincinnati’s power play then burst for three more goals, the first by Ben Ryan at 7:34 followed by two from Mathieu Aubin at 11:47 and 16:46, pulling Cincinnati within one tally. Unfortunately, Anthony Luciani was whistled for a tripping penalty with just 2:30 left; with the man-advantage, the Wings were able to extinguish the remaining time and survive by a 6-5 final score.
Cincinnati posted a season high 46 shots on net tonight, which was the most they have earned since March 3, 2011 when they had 43 against the Toledo Walleye. The Cyclones finished a perfect 4 for 4 on the penalty kill and 4 of 10 on the power play – which was the most man-advantage goals scored in a single game since January 14, 2009 against Wheeling.
The Cyclones Radio Network Three Stars of the Game are as follows:
First Star: Steven Anthony (2 goals for Kalamazoo)
Second Star: Adam Comrie (1 goal, 2 assists for Cincinnati)
Third Star: Mathieu Aubin (2 goals for Cincinati)
Cincinnati will conclude its five-game season opening road trip next Friday night, October 4, when they visit the Chicago Express at 8:30pm ET. Pregame coverage from the Sears Center gets underway on the Cyclones Radio Network (1050-AM, America One) at 8:15pm ET.
Secure your seats for the 2011-12 Home Opener on Saturday, November 5 when the Cyclones welcome the Chicago Express to U.S. Bank Arena for the first time at 7:30pm. Contact a ticket representative today at 513.421.PUCK or log on to CyclonesHockey.com for more information. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).
Click here for tonight's box score.