HOFFMAN ESTATES, Illinois – The Cincinnati Cyclones (23-18-1-7) exploded for five goals in the final two periods as they rolled past the Chicago Express (22-21-6-2) by a 7-3 final score in front of 2,046 at Sears Centre on Saturday night. With the victory, Cincinnati took over sole possession of second place in the North Division standings.

The Cyclones used a five-on-three power play to their benefit in the opening minutes as Anthony Luciani lit the lamp at 4:06 to give Cincinnati a 1-0 lead. Chicago answered back, though, at 10:46 when Chaz Johnson tipped a shot past Cyclones goaltender Brian Foster (W, 27 saves, 9-3-0-1) to knot things at one. But at 17:02, Jonathan Hazen stripped an Express defenseman of the puck at the Cincinnati blue line and lifted a breakaway goal over Chicago net minder Peter Mannino (L, 16 saves, 6-7-2-1) to give the Cyclones a 2-1 edge at the first intermission.

In a penalty-filled second period, Scott Witecha launched a power play goal past Foster with just 1:03 gone in the middle stanza to even things at two. However, Cincinnati answered back with a power play strike of their own as Garrett Wilson slammed in his 12th of the season after Mannino misplayed a puck behind the net, making it 3-2 Cyclones. Then at, 18:17, Matt Sisca grabbed a loose puck in the Chicago corner and attempted a centering feed to the middle; the puck struck off of Mannino’s skate and rolled into the net for a Cyclones insurance goal and a 4-2 cushion after 40 minutes.

Cincinnati tallied again just 3:36 into the third, when Wilson fed Joe Devin in the low slot and he wristed a shot through Mannino’s legs to push Cincinnati’s lead to 5-2. Midway through the frame, Chicago’s power play was given another chance to work and they cashed in when Darcy Campbell lifted a shot just barely over Foster’s shoulder for a goal, cutting the Cyclones lead to 5-3. However, in the final minutes, Garrett Wilson potted his second of the night at 17:12 followed by an empty net tally from Jonathan Hazen at 18:07 to seal a 7-3 victory for Cincinnati. It was the second time this month that Jarrod Skalde’s team eclipsed the seven-goal plateau.

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

First Star: Garrett Wilson (2 goals, 1 assist for Cincinnati)
Second Star: Matt Sisca (1 goal, 2 assists for Cincinnati)
Third Star: Darcy Campbell (1 goal for Chicago)

The Cyclones will be back at U.S. Bank Arena this Monday, February 20, as they play host to the Gwinnett Gladiators at 2:00pm. It’s also the Cyclones Kids Club Matinee Game, where members of the club will receive a FREE ticket. 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.