RECAP: CYCLONES BATTLE BACK FOR SHOOTOUT WIN

RECAP: CYCLONES BATTLE BACK FOR SHOOTOUT WIN

For Immediate Release: January 17, 2016

                                                                                                           

CYCLONES BATTLE BACK FOR SHOOTOUT WIN

Cincinnati Snaps Five-Game Skid with Valiant Comeback Effort

 

Allen, TX- The Cincinnati Cyclones (16-15-3-2) collected a 4-3 shootout win over the Allen Americans on Sunday night. Defenseman Brett Wysopal, and forwards Joe Wilson and Jack Downing scored the goals for the Cyclones, who snap their five-game winless streak.

After the Cyclones found themselves down, 2-0, early in the first on goals from Casey Pierro-Zabotel and J.P. LaFontaine, the Cyclones kicked their offense into high gear, when a shot from defenseman Garrett Noonan bounced off of Allen goaltender Riley Gill right to Wilson who slammed home the rebound, cutting Cincinnati’s deficit to 2-1, 8:36 into the first.

Roughly three minutes later, Cincinnati pulled even, when a point shot from Wysopal beat Gill, tying the game, 2-2, on Wysopal’s first goal of the season.

That 2-2 score held up throughout the remainder of the first, and in the second, the Cyclones shut down the Americans defensively, limiting Allen’s offensive chances. Despite the stout defensive play, the Americans received a power play marker late in the frame from forward Gary Steffes, giving Allen a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes.

The Cyclones continued their strong defensive play in the third, and also got a number of quality scoring chances. With just 12.7 seconds left, forward Zach Budish threw a shot on net that resulted in a scramble out front, and Downing buried the rebound, tying the game, 3-3, and forcing the game into overtime.

After a scoreless overtime period that featured a pair of Cyclone power plays, the two teams headed to the shootout. In the skills competition, Cyclones netminder Andy Iles stopped all four offerings sent his way. Then, in the fourth round of the shootout for the Cyclones, Downing buried the lone shootout marker, sending the Cyclones to a 4-3 shootout win.

The Cyclones outshot Allen, 30-29, with Iles stopping 26 to earn his first win as a Cyclone. The power play was held scoreless on all five chances. The two sides wrap up the season series on Monday afternoon, with the faceoff coming at 2:05pm 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!