Wings Hold Off Cyclones, 3-1

CINCINNATI, Ohio – Goaltender Maxime Clermont turned aside 31 shots while Trent Daavettila potted the game winning goal as the Kalamazoo Wings (20-12-1-2) defeated the Cincinnati Cyclones (14-12-0-4) by a 3-1 final score in front of 4,989 at U.S. Bank Arena on Friday night.

The Wings flew out to an early lead in the opening frame; Taylor Ellington led off the scoring when he wristed a shot past Cyclones net minder Chet Pickard (L, 25 saves, 5-8-0-1) at the 7:02 mark for a power play goal. Then, not even two minutes later, Trent Daavettila took a wrist shot that squeezed through Pickard’s pads and into the net for a 2-0 Kalamazoo edge. Cincinnati cut the deficit in half just before the intermission when David Leaderer sent a point blast through Wings goaltender Maxime Clermont (W, 31 saves, 6-4-0) for his third lamp-lighter of the year, making it 2-1 Kalamazoo after 20 minutes of play.

Despite a pair of power plays for both sides in the second period, neither team was able to find the net, so the Wings remained ahead 2-1 heading into the second intermission.

The Cyclones dominated in the scoring-chance department throughout the third period, outshooting the Wings 13-4 in the final frame. However, the lone goal came off the stick of Wings forward Nick Sirota at the 14:14 mark, extending the Kalamazoo cushion to 3-1. Behind Clermont’s 31-save performance, they held on to win by the same score.

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

First Star: Trent Daavettila (Game-winning goal for Kalamazoo)
Second Star: Maxime Clermont (Winning goaltender, 31 saves)
Third Star: David Leaderer (Lone goal for Cincinnati)

The Cyclones are back on the ice again at U.S. Bank Arena again tomorrow night when they play host to the Wheeling Nailers at 7:30pm. The first 1,500 fans ages 2-12 will receive a Mike Liambas #17 Kids Jersey T-Shirt courtesy of Rumpke! 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.