KALAMAZOO, Michigan – Rookie Cory Conacher scored three unanswered goals to earn his first pro hat trick and helped lift the Cincinnati Cyclones (33-28-6-4) to a convincing 6-1 win over the Kalamazoo Wings (38-24-2-6) in front of a sold out crowd at Wings Stadium on Wednesday morning. With the victory, Cincinnati’s magic number to clinch a Kelly Cup playoff spot shrinks to one.
Cincinnati opened the scoring at the 7:10 mark when Carl Hudson snuck deep into the Kalamazoo end, caught a beautiful pass from Casey Pierro-Zabotel, and banged in his second goal of the season to put the Cyclones up 1-0. And after killing a late Kalamazoo power play chance, Cincinnati took the one-goal cushion into the first intermission.
Midway through the second period, Kalamazoo’s Justin Taylor stole away a loose puck at his own blue line and dangled past Cyclones netminder Brian Foster (W, 25 saves, 11-6-0-1) for a shorthanded breakaway goal that knotted the score at 1. However, Cincinnati wasn’t fazed; Ryan McLeod answered back minutes later by burying his first goal as a Cyclone at 14:49. Then, not even two minutes after that tally, Garrett Suter blasted a power play point shot past Kalamazoo goalie Ryan Nie (L, 20 saves, 29-16-2-3) for a 3-1 lead at the 16:37 mark. As time wound down in the second period, Cory Conacher was locked with a Kalamazoo defender as they rode the puck into the middle of the Wings slot; however, the rookie forward was able to get just enough leverage to wrist the puck over Nie and into the net – giving Cincinnati a commanding 4-1 lead after 40 minutes.
With a three goal cushion heading into the third, the Cyclones never let off the gas pedal. Conacher continued a miraculous start to his professional career by potting two more goals at 2:38 and 5:50 – completing his first career hat trick in just his second ECHL game. With a 6-1 lead, Cincinnati’s team defense continued to shine as they held Kalamazoo to only 10 shots in the third period – none of which were very good scoring chances. The Cyclones wrapped up their second win in as many weeks at Wings Stadium by the 6-1 final score.
The Cyclones Radio Network Three Stars of the Game are as follows:
1. Cory Conacher (3 goals for Cincinnati, first career hat trick)
2. Ryan McLeod (1 goal, 1 assist for Cincinnati)
3. Justin Taylor (Lone goal for Kalamazoo)
The defending Kelly Cup Champions will return to U.S. Bank Arena this Friday, April 1 for City Barbeque Fan Appreciation Night. The final game of the regular season will feature $1 John Morrell Hotdogs, $1 Donatos Pizza, $1 Soda, and $.50 Popcorn. 2011-12 season tickets are on sale NOW! For more information, call 513.421.PUCK (7825) or visit CyclonesHockey.com.
Click here for today's box score.
