For Immediate Release: February 24, 2016
CYCLONES EARN THIRD STRAIGHT IN WILD AFFAIR WITH ATLANTA
Cincinnati Pulls to Within Two Points of Division Lead
CINCINNATI, OH- The Cincinnati Cyclones (28-20-3-2) picked up a 5-2 win over the Atlanta Gladiators on Wednesday night. Forward Joe Pendenza potted a pair of goals, while forwards Branden Gracel, Christiaan Minella, and Jack Downing netted lone tallies for Cincinnati, who now sits just two points back of the Division-leading Ft. Wayne Komets.
The Cyclones withstood a strong attack from the Gladiators in the opening period, and drew first blood late in the frame, when a shot from forward Tommy Mele was turned aside by Atlanta goaltender Matt Ginn, but Gracel was there to deflect in the rebound, giving the Cyclones a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.
After the Gladiators tied the game on the power play on a goal from Max Everson, 2:02 into the second, the Cyclones regained the lead midway through the frame, when a clearing attempt from Atlanta defenseman Kevin Albers deflected off of the foot of Minella and into the net, giving the Cyclones a 2-1 edge.
That lead became 3-1 a couple of minutes later, when Downing came down the right wing on a 2-on-1 rush and sent a cross-ice feed to Pendenza who rifled it past Ginn, 16:07 into the second.
Atlanta pulled to back within a goal with less than two minutes left in the period, when forward Shawn Bates fired a wrister that beat Cyclones goaltender Andy Iles, cutting Cincinnati’s lead to 3-2 after two periods.
The two teams turned up the physical intensity in the third, exchanging a number of big hits, and some after-whistle extra circulars in the final frame. Midway through, Cincinnati received that all-important insurance goal when forward Andrew Yogan found Downing in the neutral zone, and he skated around an Atlanta defender, walked in on a breakaway, and tucked the puck around Ginn and into the net, giving Cincinnati a 4-2 lead.
Cincinnati capped off their big win with a minute left and Atlanta’s goalie pulled, when Pendenza stole the puck in the defensive zone and skated down the ice and fired it into the empty net, sealing the 5-2 win for the Cyclones.
The Cyclones were outshot, 27-23 on the evening, with Iles stopping 25 to collect his tenth win as a Cyclone. Cincinnati returns to home ice on Friday night when they welcome in the Tulsa Oilers. Faceoff is slated for 7:35pm 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!
