Patrick Polino scored 1:01 into overtime, pushing the Cyclones to a 5-4 win over the Komets in Fort Wayne Sunday evening. The 'Clones had to fend off a Fort Wayne comeback, as the Komets erased 3-0 and 4-3 deficits in the third period to force overtime.
The Cyclones snap a four game winless skid, improving to 11-2-2-2.
- It didn't take long for Josh Passolt to get Cincinnati on the board. Just 1:18 into the contest, Zack Andrusiak took a behind the net shot that hit a sprawling Rylan Parentaeu and ricocheted to Passolt's stick, giving the AHL-contracted forward his seventh goal of the season.
- Midway through the first, Josh Winquist carried a puck to the goal and attempted to drag one past Beck Warm. Winquist got it right at the goal line, when Cyclones defenseman Dakota Betts came in to sweep it off the line, saving a goal.
- Moments later, the 'Clones were granted their first of two opening period power plays. With Matt Boudens in the box for cross-checking, Matt McLeod crashed the net to bury his second goal of the season 12:38 into the first. Five minutes later, another power play goal was registered by Matej Pekar, as the Cyclones swarmed the net for a rebound.
- The Komets rally started over two minutes into the second as Mark Rassell shoveled a puck past Beck Warm to get Fort Wayne on the board. Fort Wayne's power play came to life later in the frame with Oliver Cooper making it 3-2 on a redirect in the crease.
- Justin Vaive got sent to the box 6:35 into the third period on a 5-minute major boarding call. Late in the man advantage, Adam Brubacher, who registered two assists earlier in the game, fired in the game-tying goal from the slot to even the game, 3-3.
- Cincinnati and Fort Wayne traded goals shortly after, with Matej Pekar putting the 'Clones back on top on his second goal of the night, coming off a wrist shot from the top of the left circle. Pekar finished the night with two goals and an assist, registering a career best-three point game as a pro.
- Rassell scored with 4:23 to play to even the game and force overtime, but Polino had the finish. In three-on-three, Polino intercepted a puck from the defensive zone, carrying it ahead for a two-on-one where the center took a snipe from the right circle to beat Parenteau 1:01 into overtime, lifting the Cyclones to a 5-4 win.
- Beck Warm picked up his sixth win of the season, posting 37 saves.
- The Cyclones return home for a pair of home games Wednesday and Friday against Wheeling.
