For Immediate Release: December 4, 2015
CYCLONES BATTLE HARD ALL NIGHT, WIN THRILLER IN OVERTIME
Cincinnati Erases Three-Goal Deficit to Take Down Swamp Rabbits
Greenville, SC- The Cincinnati Cyclones (11-5-2-2) picked up a 7-6 overtime win over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Friday night. Forward Nick Huard scored a pair of power play markers, and defenseman Riley Weselowski also had two, including the game winner. Forwards Mike Hammond and Andrew Yogan, and defenseman Steve Weinstein added lone tallies for the Cyclones, who score seven goals in a game for the first time since November 26 of 2014.
Both offenses were on display in the first, as Greenville took a 2-0 lead, 3:53 into the opening period, on goals from forward Josh Nicholls and defenseman Rob Kwiet.
Cincinnati was not deterred, and cut the deficit to one while on the power play, when a shot from forward Jack Downing bounced off of goaltender Jeff Malcolm, and Huard was there to poke in the rebound, cutting Greenville’s lead to 2-1, 9:57 into the frame.
The Cyclones pulled even 1:09 later, when Hammond skated in on a breakaway and wristed one past Malcolm, tying the game, 2-2, with the first goal of his pro hockey career.
The Swamp Rabbits regained the lead soon thereafter, as defenseman Kodie Curran scored, and forward Scott Fleming netted a power play marker, putting Greenville up, 4-2, after 20 minutes.
After the Swamp Rabbits went up 5-2 on a marker from forward Jordan Knackstedt early in the second, the Cyclones found the back of the net again, when Weselowski took possession of the puck at the right point and blasted a slapshot through traffic and past Malcolm, pulling Cincinnati back to within a pair, 5-3, 14:10 into the second.
Cincinnati continued to apply the pressure, and with two seconds left, defenseman Cody Carlson took a shot that was blocked out front, but Weinstein hammered home the rebound as time expired in the second, bringing the Cyclones to within a goal, 5-4, through two periods.
After Knackstedt buried his second of the night to put Greenville up, 6-4 midway through the third, the Cyclones kept battling back, and at 12:03 while on the power play, Huard took a feed from forward Zach Budish, and put it in for his second power play goal of the night, cutting Cincinnati’s deficit to 6-5.
Not long after, the Cyclones completed the comeback while shorthanded, when Yogan stole the puck at the defensive blueline and skated in on Malcolm and tucked it under the crossbar, tying the game, 6-6, 15:19 into the third.
The 6-6 score held up throughout the remainder of the third, and in the overtime period, forward Joe Wilson sent a pass to Weselowski who launched a shot past Malcolm, sending the Cyclones to a 7-6 overtime victory
The Cyclones were outshot, 44-36 on the night, while the power play converted on two of its five chances. Cincinnati wraps up their three-game road trip next Friday in Evansville against the IceMen. Faceoff is scheduled for 8:15pm ET.
The 2015-2016 season is underway! Your Cyclones are on the march towards another Kelly Cup Championship, and want you along for the ride! Be sure to check out one of our 2015-16 Ticket Packages, available NOW! Call 513.421.PUCK to reserve your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), Instagram, and our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
