CINCINNATI , Ohio – Cyclones captain Mathieu Aubin batted in the game winning goal midway through the second period while Maury Edwards notched a pair of assists as the Cincinnati Cyclones (1-0-0-0 preseason) rallied from a 2-1 deficit to defeat the Wheeling Nailers (0-1-0-0 preseason) by a final score of 3-2 in front of 1,521 at U.S. Bank Arena on Friday night.

The Cyclones got on the board early in the first period, taking advantage of a delay of game penalty by Nailers goalie Michael Chiasson (L, 6 saves, 0-1-0-0 preseason). Dan Eves scored the power play goal, tipping home a Maury Edwards shot from the point at the 1:21 mark. At 12:52, Wheeling tied the game on a shot by forward Chris Barton that got past Cyclones goaltender Zoltan Hetenyi (W, 19 saves, 1-0-0-0 preseason).

Just 21 seconds into the middle frame, the Nailers jumped on top after Matt Schepke tapped in a rebound off the pad of Heteneyi, giving the Nailers a 2-1 cushion. The lead didn’t last long, though, as Cincinnati forward Cory McGillis, just seconds after returning to the ice from the penalty box, fired a wrist shot from the right wing that sailed past Chiasson at 4:18. The Cyclones regained the advantage on Aubin’s highlight reel-worthy goal at 9:53. The Cincinnati captain received a pass from Maury Edwards, and with his back to the goal, sent the puck between his legs and into the net.

Both teams went scoreless in the third period behind outstanding goaltending from Hetenyi for the Cyclones and Matt Tendler, who replaced Chiasson after Aubin’s go-ahead goal, for the Nailers. Cincinnati held on to win by the 3-2 final score.

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

First Star: Mathieu Aubin (Game winning goal, 1 assist for Cincinnati) Second Star: Maury Edwards (2 assists for Cincinnati) Third Star: Chris Barton (1 goal, 1 assist for Wheeling)

The countdown to the 2012-13 season is nearly complete! On Saturday, October 13, the Cyclones will host the second-annual Power Play 5K Run/Walk followed by the 2012 First Face-Off against the Wheeling Nailers at U.S. Bank Arena. Registration for the race is open NOW on CyclonesHockey.com. The first 7,500 fans through the gates will receive a FREE 2012-13 Cyclones Magnetic Schedule, courtesy of The Plastic Surgery Group. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones). 

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