Cyclones Close Out Weekend in Trenton with 4-3 Shootout Win
TRENTON, New Jersey – One night after earning his first pro shutout, goaltender Michael Houser collected his first pro shootout win as he denied all four shooters to give the Cincinnati Cyclones (24-14-3-1) a 4-3 win over the Trenton Titans (16-18-3-3) in front of 4,137 at Sun National Bank Center on Sunday afternoon.
After a one-hour delay due to a fire alarm, the teams got underway and almost immediately the Cyclones took the lead. When David Pacan crashed the net, a save made by Scott Wedgewood (SOL, 31 saves, 12-12-2-1) produced a rebound in the crease; Josh McFadden took advantage by coming down the slot and poking home his first professional goal just 58 seconds into the frame. On the other end of the ice, Michael Houser (W, 36 saves, 6-3-0) made 14 saves to keep his team up 1-0 through 20 minutes.
As Cincinnati’s penalty numbers stacked up in the middle stanza, the Titans finally found a way to get on the board. Jacob Drewiske snapped home his eighth goal of the year at the 5:00 mark, although it came at even strength. Later, though, on the Titans’ fifth power play of the game, Stephen Schultz blasted in a slap shot from the left circle to give his team a 2-1 edge after two periods.
The Cyclones wasted little time clawing their way back into the contest as the third period began. At the 3:16 mark, Mike Embach managed to slide in the game-tying strike after being taken down in front of the net. Then, at 6:41, Garrett Wilson banked a shot from behind the goal line off of Wedgewood and in for the go-ahead goal, making a 3-2 game. Unfortunately, in the final minute, another Trenton power play came up with the equalizer as Derrick Pallis blasted in his second goal of the season, knotting things at three at the end of regulation.
In the extra session, the teams traded a pair of shots but could not score – so the game was decided in a shootout. After a first round miss by Trenton’s David Laliberte, Cincinnati’s Taylor Ellington lit the lamp to give his team a lead. Houser then proceeded to stop the next three shots he faced – finishing the shootout a perfect four-for-four. And it the fourth round, Wilson lit the lamp to seal Cincinnati’s victory – 4-3 was the final score.
The Cyclones Radio Network Stars of the Game are as follows:
First Star: Garrett Wilson (1 goal for Cincinnati)
Second Star: Michael Houser (36 saves for Cincinnati)
Third Star: Scott Wedgewood (31 saves for Trenton)
The Cyclones will return to the ice at U.S. Bank on Friday, January 25 when they play host to the Evansville IceMen at 7:30pm. The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive a Cyclones Bobblehead of U.S. President Barack Obama! Call 513.421.PUCK or visit CyclonesHockey.com to reserve your seats! Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).
Click here for tonight's box score.