HOFFMAN ESTATES, Illinois – The Chicago Express (4-2-0-0) potted three unanswered goals to erase a 3-0 deficit and rally to defeat the Cincinnati Cyclones (1-3-0-1) in a shootout by a 4-3 final score in front of 2,350 at Sears Center on Friday Night.

Cincinnati jumped out to a 1-0 lead just 2:45 into the game when newcomer Joel Champagne stole a puck in the left circle and roofed it past Express netminder Paul Dainton (W, 31 saves, 2-0-0-0). Then, on the fourth of four-straight power plays for the Cyclones, Anthony Luciani worked his way out of the right corner and backhanded a shot into the net to put his team up 2-0 after 20 minutes of play.  

Luciani struck again early in the second when, at 5:03, he potted his second of the night on the power play to extend Cincinnati’s cushion to 3-0. However, the Express raced back into the game when Aaron Marvin batted in a power play goal of his own at the 13:09 mark to put his team on the board. Then, with just 1:09 left in the period, Pierre-Luc Faubert cruised down the left wing and blasted a shot past Cyclones goaltender Tyler Plante (L, 25 saves, 0-0-0-1) to cut the Cyclones lead to 3-2 heading into the second intermission.

After a back-and-forth third period, the Express netted the equalizer at the 15:41 mark of regulation when Blair Riley picked up a turnover at the Cincinnati blue line and fed Mike Embach, who sniped the game-tying goal. The rest of regulation and overtime were stalemates, so the teams decided the game in a shootout.

Mathieu Aubin opened the shootout scoring in round 1, but Riley answered back for Chicago to even the score before Bobby Robbins slid the game-winning goal through the legs of Plante in the sixth and decisive round.

The Cyclones Radio Network Three Stars of the Game are as follows:

First Star: Bobby Robbins (Game-winning goal for Chicago)
Second Star: Anthony Luciani (2 goals for Cincinnati)
Third Star: Blair Riley (2 assists for Chicago)

The Cyclones will finally kick off their home schedule tomorrow night as they welcome the Chicago Express to U.S. Bank Arena for the first time this season. The 2011-12 Home Opener will feature $1 John Morrell hot dogs, $1 Donatos Pizza, and $1 soda. In addition, the first 7,500 fans through the gates will receive a Schedule Magnet courtesy of Hometown Sports and Collectibles. Secure your seats now by calling 513.421.PUCK or log on to CyclonesHockey.com. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).

Click here to view tonight's box score.