For Immediate Release: April 6, 2018
CYCLONES CLINCH KELLY CUP PLAYOFF BERTH
Cincinnati Heads to the Dance with Four-Goal Second Period
Indianapolis, IN- The Cincinnati Cyclones (39-28-3-0) earned a 5-2 win over the Indy Fuel on Friday night. Forwards Winston Day Chief, Daniel Muzito-Bagenda, Justin Vaive, and Brandon McNally, along with defenseman Mike Barrett lit the lamp for the Cyclones. With the win, Cincinnati has officially clinched a spot in the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
After the Fuel took a 1-0 lead after the first on a goal from forward Matt Rupert, Cincinnati struck just 2:46 into the second, when Zombo sent an outlet feed to Day Chief who skated in on a breakaway and scored to tie the game, 1-1. A mere 37 seconds later the Cyclones took their first lead of the night, when Muzito-Bagenda launched a snapshot from the left circle to put Cincinnati ahead, 2-1.
Indy managed to even the game back up, 2-2, on a marker from forward Johnny McInnis, however at the 9:54 mark of the frame Cincinnati pulled back ahead when forward Jesse Schultz took a shot that hit traffic in front, and Vaive was there to bang in the rebound to put Cincinnati back up, 3-2. That lead became 4-2 just past the halfway point while on the power play, when a Schultz shot was kicked out to Barrett in the slot, and he rifled it in to put the ‘Clones ahead by two, after two.
In the third Cincinnati sealed the win when McNally launched a shot from inside the defensive blue line down the ice and into the empty net to finalize the 5-2 win, and clinch their spot in the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Cincinnati was outshot, 41-33 on the evening, with goaltender Hayden Stewart stopping 39 for the victory.
The Cyclones next head to Moline, IL, to take on the Quad City Mallards on Saturday night. Face-off is scheduled for 8:05pm ET.
The 2017-18 season is underway, and the Cincinnati Cyclones want YOU along for the ride! Call (513) 421-PUCK for information regarding Cyclones single game tickets, ticket packages, and Season and Group Tickets! Also, stay on top of the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
