CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Cincinnati Cyclones (42-21-5-3) earned a thrilling 5-4 comeback win over the Evansville IceMen (24-40-3-4) in front of 4,794 at U.S. Bank Arena on Friday night. Mike Embach capped off a three-point effort with the game-winning goal just 1:36 into the extra period.

The IceMen were first to get on the scoreboard when Dylan Clarke was able to knock a rebound past the pads of Cincinnati goaltender Michael Houser (W, 22 saves, 17-9-1-1) 4:56 into the game on an Evansville power play. The Cyclones struck back quickly when Trevor Lewis knocked in a rebound of his own over a sprawled out James Reid (SOL, 26 saves, 3-8-1-1) just 2:32 later. Cincinnati lit the lamp one more time with 53 seconds remaining in the opening frame on a power play. Embach sent a pass across the slot to Charles-Olivier Roussel who slapped a one-timer into the back of the net, giving the home team a 2-1 lead at the first intermission.

Evansville scored twice in the middle period to take the lead back from Cincinnati. At the 9:05 mark, Clarke registered his second tally of the night by sending another rebound by Houser. Then, with 8:12 to go in the second stanza, Peter Sakaris lifted the puck past Houser to give his team the 3-2 advantage. The IceMen would head to the locker room with the one goal edge after 40 minutes.

The Cyclones again evened things up 9:13 into the third when Matt Smyth tipped in a Jeff Foss point shot. Just under three minutes later, Cincinnati took the lead back on a short-handed goal from Davide Nicoletti after he was fed a cross-ice pass from Lewis. It looked like the home team would hold on and win in regulation until a late penalty gave Evansville one more power play opportunity. Adam Pleskach took advantage of that chance with his first professional goal with only 1:33 left. The teams would head into overtime knotted at 4 goals apiece.

It didn’t take long for Cincinnati to gain the momentum in the extra session; after getting couple of good early shots on net without lighting the lamp, Embach spun a shot right along the goal line that careened off of Reid’s skates and into net at 1:36. It was Embach’s sixth game-winner of the season and lifted the Cyclones to the 5-4 triumph.

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

First Star: Mike Embach (Game winning goal, 1 goal, 2 assists for Cincinnati)
Second Star: Trevor Lewis (1 goal, 3 assists for Cincinnati)
Third Star: Dylan Clarke (2 goals, 2 assists for Evansville)

The Cyclones will close out their regular season slate TOMORROW NIGHT against the Evansville IceMen at 7:30pm! It will be the 2013 Fan Appreciation Night where fans can enjoy $1 John Morrell Hot Dogs, Donatos Pizza, and Soda. Plus, there will be TONS of great prize giveaways all night long! 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).

2013 Kelly Cup Playoff single game tickets and packages are also on sale NOW! Call 513.421.PUCK to secure the best seats for all the thrilling action at U.S. Bank Arena!

Click here for tonight's box score.