For Immediate Release: December 9, 2016
CYCLONES DROP HEARTBREAKER IN OVERTIME
LeBlanc’s Pair Not Enough in Home Loss
Cincinnati, OH- The Cincinnati Cyclones (9-10-3-0) fell to the Quad City Mallards 4-3 in overtime on Friday night. Forward Peter LeBlanc netted a pair of goals while forward Dominic Zombo chipped in one for the Cyclones.
Cincinnati drew first blood late in the opening frame when a point shot from defenseman Craig Dalrymple was initially turned aside by Quad City goaltender CJ Motte, but the rebound found Zombo who fired a backhander into the net while falling to put Cincinnati up, 1-0, after 20 minutes.
The Mallards seized temporary momentum early in the second, getting goals from forwards Justin Kovacs and Nolan LaPorte in a span of 1:08 to take a 2-0 lead, 6:19 into the middle frame.
Cincinnati pulled back even midway through the period while on the power play when a shot by defenseman Eric Knodel was deflected into the net by LeBlanc who was coming through the slot, tying the game, 2-2.
LeBlanc tacked on one more a couple of minutes later when he took a feed from defenseman Arvin Atwal just over the offensive blue line, skated around Motte, and tucked the puck into the net to give Cincinnati a 3-2 lead.
The Cyclones took that 3-2 lead into the locker room after 40 minutes and in the third the Mallards tied the game, 3-3, with another early-period strike, this time from forward Pavel Jenys, 3:06 into the final 20 minutes.
The Cyclones got several quality looks at the go-ahead tally down the stretch in the third, however could not find the back of the net, and the teams headed to overtime tied, 3-3.
In the extra session, Cincinnati continued to hound the net however forward Brady Brassart buried the game-winner with 10 seconds remaining to lift Quad City to a 4-3 overtime win.
The Cyclones were outshot by the Mallards, 26-25 on the evening, with Cincinnati’s Brad Thiessen stopping 22 in the loss. Cincinnati wraps up their two-game weekend series with the Mallards on Saturday night, with the face-off scheduled for 7:35pm ET.
The 2016-17 season is underway, and the Cincinnati Cyclones want you along for the ride as they march towards another Kelly Cup Championship! 2016-17 single game tickets and packages along with group and Season Ticket Packages are available NOW! Call (513) 421-PUCK to reserve your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
