KALAMAZOO, Michigan – A trio of third period goals for the Kalamazoo Wings (32-20-2-4) proved to be enough to beat the Cincinnati Cyclones (25-25-6-3), as they took a 4-1 decision at Wings Stadium on Sunday afternoon.  With the victory, Kalamazoo has now earned a point in 13 consecutive games.

Both teams had ample time to utilize the special teams in the opening stanza, however, neither cashed in.  Toward the end of the period, Cincinnati’s penalty kill unit was given the task of killing off more than 90 seconds of five-on-three power play time – and they succeeded, thanks to some great team defense and timely saves from Chet Pickard (L, 35 saves, 9-13-2-1).  At the end of 20 minutes, there was no score.

Kalamazoo opened the scoring at the 7:23 mark of the second period after an A.J. Thelen slap shot ricocheted off of Pickard’s pad and right to Patrick Asselin, who banged home the rebound for a 1-0 Wings lead.  Luckily, though, Cincinnati raced back to tie it when Jake Hauswirth deflected home a Garret Suter point-blast through the legs of Wings netminder Ryan Nie (W, 29 saves, 25-13-2-3) to knot the score at one heading into the second intermission.

Midway through the third, the Wings utilized their power play as Andrew Fournier spun around and swatted a puck past Pickard to jump ahead 2-1.  Just over a minute later, at 13:43, Brady Leisenring came down the ice two-on-one with Asselin and fed him for an easy tap-in goal – extending the Kalamazoo advantage to 3-1.  With just over two minutes left, Cincinnati pulled Pickard in hopes of coming back to tie it; however, for the second straight night, their opposition buried an empty net goal – this time, it was Trent Daavettila at 19:10 – which sealed a 4-1 victory.

The Cyclones Radio Network Three Stars of the Game are as follows:
1.    Patrick Asselin (2 goals for Kalamazoo)
2.    Brady Leisenring (2 assists for Kalamazoo)
3.    Ryan Nie (Winning goaltender, 29 saves)

Cincinnati will now embark on a 13-day, seven-game road trip beginning this Wednesday with the opener of three against the South Carolina Stingrays.  The opening face-off at North Charleston Coliseum will be at 7:00pm with pregame coverage starting on the Cyclones Radio Network at 6:45pm.

The defending Kelly Cup Champions will return to U.S. Bank Arena on Friday, March 25 when they host the Toledo Walleye at 7:30pm.  It will be the final Kids Eat Free Night of the season, as all fans ages 2-12 will receive a FREE meal courtesy of John Morrell and Sunkist.  2010-11 single game and discounted group tickets are available now.  2011-12 season tickets go on sale NOW.  For more information, call 513.421.PUCK (7825) or visit CyclonesHockey.com.

Click here for tonight’s box score.