For Immediate Release: February 20, 2016
DOWNING PACES CYCLONES TO VICTORY
Forward Nets 100th Goal in Road Win
Moline, IL- The Cincinnati Cyclones (26-20-2-3) picked up a 5-3 win over the Quad City Mallards on Saturday night. Forward Jack Downing recorded a pair of goals, while forwards Joe Pendenza, Zach Budish, and Tommy Mele scored lone tallies for the Cyclones.
Cincinnati wasted little time finding the back of the net, as just 3:47 into the opening frame, Budish sent a pass to Downing in the slot, and he rifled a shot past Mallards netminder Brody Hoffman, putting the Cyclones ahead, 1-0.
Downing struck again a couple of minutes later while on the power play, when he blasted home a one-time pass from Pendenza, extending Cincinnati’s lead to 2-0. For Downing, the goal marked his 100th of his pro hockey career.
After the Mallards cut the Cyclones’ lead to 2-1 on a goal from forward Matt Carey midway through the frame, Cincinnati responded, and extended their lead back to two goals, when forward Peter Quenneville sent a pass from below the goal line to Pendenza in the slot, and he wristed it past Hoffman, giving the Cyclones a 3-1 lead.
That lead held up throughout the remainder of the first, and in the second, the Mallards turned up the offensive pressure, outshooting Cincinnati, 13-4, in the frame. Cyclones netminder Andy Iles came up with some big saves in the period, preserving the Cyclones’ 3-1 lead through 40 minutes.
The Mallards chipped away at Cincinnati’s lead 7:36 into the third, getting a goal from forward Jared Knight to cut the Cyclones’ lead to 3-2.
Cincinnati responded roughly four minutes while on the power play, when a point shot from defenseman Garrett Noonan was tipped into the net by Budish, putting the Cyclones back up by two, 4-2.
The Mallards continued to battle back, pulling back to within a goal late in the period, when forward Kyle Follmer scored on the power play to trim the Cyclones’ lead to 4-3.
With less than a minute left, Mele sealed the game when a defensive zone faceoff was won back by forward Nick Huard, and Mele fired it down the ice and into the open net, finalizing Cincinnati’s 5-3 win.
The Cyclones were outshot, 29-26 on the night, with Iles stopping 26 to collect the win. Cincinnati’s power play was a deciding factor in the game, converting on two-of-three chances.
The Cyclones begin a four-game homestand on Tuesday night against the Evansville IceMen. Faceoff is scheduled 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!
