CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Cincinnati Cyclones (18-17-5-2) exploded for a three-goal third period en route to a 4-2 victory over the South Carolina Stingrays in front of 5,886 at U.S. Bank Arena on Friday Night.

The Stingrays opened the scoring at 11:29 when a Dustin Stevenson wrist shot beat Cyclones netminder Marc Cheverie (W, 22 saves, 13-8-2-2), giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.  Luckily, during a Cyclones power play, Adam Comrie’s point blast beat South Carolina goalie Jared DeMichiel (L, 36 saves, 13-7-0-0) to knot the score at one heading into the first intermission.

Despite a couple great scoring chances for both sides in the second period, the teams remained tied at one through 40 minutes of play.  Cincinnati, though, had a steep shots-on-goal advantage, leading 30-15 in that department at the second intermission.

Early in the third, the Cyclones exploded for a trio of goals – the first coming just 1:52 into the frame when a Benn Olson point shot redirected off of a Stingray player in front and beat DeMichiel for the go-ahead tally.  Only 29 seconds later, Dustin Sproat picked up a loose puck in the corner and sent a shot into the top shelf of the net to extend Cincinnati’s lead to 3-1.  And they weren’t done.  During another Cyclones power play, a Comrie slap shot rebounded right to Barret Ehgoetz who easily slammed it home for his 10th goal of the year and a 4-1 Cyclones lead.  Although the Stingrays pulled within a pair with a power play goal at the 17:00 mark, the Cyclones easily held on to win by a 4-2 final.

The Cyclones Radio Network Three Stars of the Game are as follows:
1.    Benn Olson (First professional goal for Cincinnati)
2.    Mathieu Aubin (2 assists for Cincinnati)
3.    Adam Comrie (1 goal, 1 assist for Cincinnati)

Tomorrow the Cyclones are hosting the Inaugural Cyclones Classic at Fountain Square – presented by Powerade, the Plastic Surgery Group, and The Y.  The all-afternoon Pond Hockey tournament will begin at Noon followed by an on-ice clinic led by Head Coach Jarrod Skalde at 6:00pm.  Then, at 7:00pm, Fountain Square will be turned into a mini-U.S. Bank Arena for a three-on-three scrimmage featuring members of the Cyclones.  Admission is free and fans are encouraged to attend throughout the day.

The defending Kelly Cup Champions will return to U.S. Bank Arena this Sunday, January 30 when they once battle the Stingrays with a special 2:00pm opening face-off.  The game will also feature $1 Donatos Pizza slices.  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 for tonight’s box score.