CINCINNATI , Ohio – For the 16th time this season, the Cincinnati Cyclones (35-28-2-7) orchestrated another thrilling comeback victory over the Chicago Express (34-27-7-4), as Mathieu Aubin netted the game-winning goal in overtime to give his team a 3-2 triumph in front of 6,123 at U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday night. Unfortunately, with a Reading Royals victory as well tonight, Cincinnati was eliminated from playoff contention.

Despite having only four shots on net in the opening period, it was Chicago who claimed a 1-0 lead as Mike Embach’s shot from the right circle deflected past Brian Foster (W, 17 saves, 16-11-1-1) at 18:02. At the first intermission, the Express took the one goal cushion into the locker room.

Chicago extended its lead to 2-0 just 5:08 into the middle stanza, as Chaz Johnson one-timed a shot past Foster. However, Cincinnati was able to respond as Dan Eves dug for a loose puck along the goal line and buried his 18th goal of the season past Express net minder Rob Madore (L, 49 saves, 8-3-1-1) to make it a 2-1 game after 40 minutes.

As they have done several other times this season, Cincinnati was able to orchestrate another thrilling comeback. After going on the power play at 17:08 of the third period, the Cyclones pulled the goalie to utilize a two-man advantage – and it worked. At 17:49, Anthony Luciani caught a pass and backhanded a shot over Madore to knot things at two as regulation wound down.

With neither team able to end the game before the horn, the season finale was to be decided in overtime. Just like in the third period, the Express were whistled for a penalty, giving Cincinnati’s man-advantage unit one more chance to strike. In the four-on-three situation, Matt Sisca fed Aubin in the low rim of the left circle and he stick handled by Madore and lofted the game-winning strike into the net at 3:34 of the extra session. It was Aubin’s team-leading fifth game-winning goal of the season.

Unfortunately, due to a Reading Royals victory over the Trenton Titans tonight, the Cyclones were eliminated from postseason contention. With Chicago in need of a win to clinch a spot of their own, the Express also had their season come to an end tonight.

The Cyclones will return to the ice at U.S. Bank Arena in mid-October as the 2012-13 ECHL season unfolds. Throughout the summer, Cincinnati will once again host the Meijer Concrete Clones Tour, which will begin in June. Details, dates, and times will be announced soon on CyclonesHockey.com. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the offseason on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).

Click here to view tonight's box score.