Cyclones Earn "A" on Education in Hockey Day by Beating Toledo 4-2

CINCINNATI, Ohio – Joel Champagne’s goal in the third period turned out to be the game-winner as the Cincinnati Cyclones (3-4-0-2) blew past the Toledo Walleye (3-8-0-0) by a 4-2 score in front of 5,257 at U.S. Bank Arena for Education in Hockey Day on Tuesday morning.

After a scoreless opening period, the Cyclones drew first blood when Matt Pierce batted a bouncing puck into the net past Toledo goaltender Carter Hutton (L, 21 saves, 2-5-0-0) at the 6:55 mark. Not even three minute later, at 9:38, Garrett Wilson decked through the Walleye zone and tucked in his third goal of the season, giving Cincinnati a 2-0 cushion. Just seconds later, however, Toledo’s Bryan Rufenach sent a shot from just outside the Cyclones blue line that eluded net minder Chet Pickard (W, 20 saves, 2-3-0-0) at 9:45 and cut the Cincinnati lead to 2-1 heading into the second intermission.

The Walleye struck again early in the third period, at 6:14, as Evan Rankin buried a rebound to even the score at two. But just a couple of minutes later, Cincinnati regained the advantage when Joel Champagne potted his fourth goal of the year at 8:06 to give the Cyclones a 3-2 lead. They didn’t know it then, but his goal turned out to be the game-winner. With less than a minute to play, Mathieu Aubin banked a shot off of the half-boards and it ricocheted down the ice and into the empty net, sealing Cincinnati’s third victory of the season, 4-2.

"Of all the games we've played this year, this was the one we played most consistent," said Cyclones Head Coach Jarrod Skalde. "Chet [Pickard] looked very comfortable in net after taking some time off and played very well. I thought that was our best performance from start to finish"

The Cyclones Radio Network Three Stars of the Game are as follows:

First Star: Joel Champagne (Game-winning goal for Cincinnati)
Second Star: Garrett Wilson (Goal, +2 rating for Cincinnati)
Third Star: Evan Rankin (1 goal for Toledo)

The Cyclones will be back on the ice at U.S. Bank Arena this Friday night as they play host to the Reading Royals at 7:30pm. The first 2,000 adults will receive a FREE Cyclones Bobblehead T-Shirt courtesy of the Plastic Surgery Group. In addition, all fans can enjoy $1 John Morrell Hot Dogs. Secure your seats now by calling 513.421.PUCK or log on to CyclonesHockey.com. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).

Click here to view tonight's box score.