Cyclones Win Three Straight, Rallying to Beat Reading 3-2 in a Shootout

CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Cincinnati Cyclones (4-4-0-2) erased a two-goal deficit in the third period to force overtime before Chet Pickard stopped all four Reading Royals (7-6-1-1) shooters in the shootout, as the Cyclones prevailed 3-2 in front of 4,243 at U.S. Bank Arena on Friday night.

Reading capitalized on two early power plays, converting on both of them to jump out 2-0. Rob Shearer and Marc Cantin each tallied goals just over a minute apart starting at 7:13 and carried the two-goal cushion heading into the first intermission.

Despite throwing 14 shots on net in the middle frame, the Cyclones were unable to beat Royals net minder Joe Palmer (L, 40 saves, 4-3-0-1) as the visiting team held the 2-0 lead after 40 minutes of play.

Midway through the third period, Cincinnati roared to life. After Robert Slaney fought a puck to the middle of the goal crease, Garrett Wilson buried his fourth lamp-lighter of the season, cutting the deficit to one. Then, only 14 seconds later, Slaney picked up a goal of his own (his first as a Cyclone) at 11:36 to knot the score at two.

The teams finished regulation and played all of overtime without another goal scored, so the tilt was to be decided in a shootout. After two scoreless rounds, Evan Trupp put Cincinnati ahead with his first-career shootout goal. Meanwhile, Cincinnati net minder Chet Pickard (W, 22 saves, 3-3-0-0) shined in net. He turned aside all four Reading shootout offerings before Garrett Wilson tallied in the fifth and final round to seal Cincinnati’s come-from-behind 3-2 win. It was the second time this season that the Cyclones erased a deficit to earn a victory.

“You want to stick to your game plan when you fall behind,” said Cyclones Head Coach Jarrod Skalde. “Slaney really picked up the momentum for us in that third period. Garrett Wilson shows up to play every game as well and plays like he’s in been in the league for years. I’m so proud of our guys and the way they stuck with it.”

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

First Star: Evan Trupp (Game-winning goal in the shootout for Cincinnati)
Second Star: Rob Slaney (Goal and assist for Cincinnati)
Third Star: Marc Cantin (Goal for Reading)

The Cyclones will return to North Division play the rest of the weekend as they travel to Chicago tomorrow night before a Sunday matinee in Toledo. Tomorrow night’s game with the Express will begin at 8:30pm ET with pre game coverage from the Sears Centre getting underway on the Cyclones Radio Network at 8:15pm ET

The Cyclones will be back on the ice at U.S. Bank Arena next Wednesday night, November 23, when they play host to the Kalamazoo Wings at 7:30pm. It will be the first Wet Wednesday of the season, with $1 PBR and Miller High Life flowing all night long. In addition, the game will serve as the Cyclones “Movember” Mustache Party where fans can show off their mustaches in support of men’s health. 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.