KALAMAZOO 4, Cincinnati 3 – SO

KALAMAZOO, Michigan – For the third consecutive game, the Cincinnati Cyclones (1-1-1-1) needed overtime to decide the contest.  And for the second night in a row, the Kalamazoo Wings (3-0-0-0) earned the extra point, by beating Cincinnati 4-3 in a shootout in front of 1,605 at Wings Stadium on Sunday evening.

The Wings drew first blood on a power play goal by Trent Daavettila when his centering feed bounced off the glove of Cyclones goalie Marc Cheverie (L, 29 saves, 1-1-0-1) and into the net at 14:31.  Cincinnati was only able to muster three shots in the opening frame and trailed after 20 minutes, 1-0.

The Cyclones were able to tie the game, though, just 5:56 into the middle period, when Sam D’Agostino stashed his first professional goal on a beautiful wrist shot that beat Wings goalie Ryan Nie (W, 31 saves, 3-0-0) to square things at 1-1.   Despite several other chances for the Cyclones, it was the Wings who broke the 1-1 tie.  At 13:26, Kory Karlander found himself unguarded on the back door of Cincinnati’s net and buried a shot past Cheverie, giving Kalamazoo a 2-1 lead after two periods.

The Wings extended their lead early in the third when, at the 2:38 mark, Wings captain Wes O’Neill netted his first goal of the season to give his team a two-goal cushion.  However, like they have all season, Cincinnati found a way to rally.  D’Agostino pounced on a loose puck in the slot and shot home his second of the night at 4:30 to make it 4-3 Kalamazoo.  Not even two minutes later, Brett Robinson broke free in 2-on-1 fashion and buried the game tying goal at 6:07.

Just as they did last night, the two teams went to the extra session.  Unlike last night, however, neither team was able to end it.   So for the first time this season, the Cyclones went to a shootout.

Each team sent six shooters, but only one player was able to find the net.  Unfortunately, that was the final Kalamazoo shooter Steven Tarasuk.  And when Nie gloved Scott Reynolds’ bid for the tying goal, the game was sealed and the Wings were given the extra point…4-3 the final.

Cincinnati was 0-for-6 with the power play tonight.  The Wings finished 1-for-4.

After another week of practice, the Cyclones will square off against the Toledo Walleye for the first time in the 2010-11 season next Friday night at the Huntington Center.

The defending Kelly Cup Champion Cyclones open their home schedule on Saturday, October 30 at U.S. Bank Arena against the Wheeling Nailers.  Discounted ticket packages and single game tickets for the 2010-2011 season are available now.  For more information, call 513.421.PUCK (7825) or visit CyclonesHockey.com.
    
Click here to view tonight’s box score.