EVANSVILLE, Indiana – Cyclones forward Mike Embach posted a career high five-point night as the Cincinnati Cyclones (38-17-4-2) demolished the Evansville IceMen (22-33-2-3) by a 9-4 final score in front of 5,492 at Ford Center on Sunday night. It was the first time since January 14, 2009 that a Cincinnati team had scored nine goals in a single game and the first time since February of 2010 that a Cincinnati team has won seven straight games.

Just 1:26 into the contest, Josh Birkholz lifted a sneaky backhand shot over the shoulder of Paul Dainton (L, 28 saves, 8-11-1-1) to give the Cyclones a 1-0 lead. And with Brian Foster (W, 28 saves, 19-7-4) turning aside all eight shots he faced in the opening period, Cincinnati took the one goal edge into the first intermission.

A wild middle stanza began with early offense by the IceMen, as former Cyclone Andre Bouvet-Morrissette and Todd Robinson each scored in the first three minutes to give the home team a 2-1 lead. However, the Cyclones responded in a big way, striking four times over the next 13 minutes; Mike Embach completed a hat trick with a three-goal period while Jeff Winchester added his first lamp lighter in a Cincinnati jersey to push the Cyclones ahead 5-2 after 40 minutes.

The offensive barrage continued for Jarrod Skalde’s team as David Pacan scored just 5:56 into the final frame followed by two straight goals from Charles-Olivier Roussel over a 39 second span – making it 8-2 Cincinnati. Olivier Gabriel broke the streak of goals against by potting his first of the year at 6:35. However, Embach struck again for his fourth goal of the night at 16:43 to extend the Cincinnati lead to 9-3. It was the first time this season that a Cyclones player had a four-goal game. Gabriel added a late goal for the IceMen at 18:55 to cap the scoring at 9-4 – Cincinnati’s seventh straight victory.

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

First Star: Mike Embach (4 goals, 1 assist for Cincinnati)
Second Star: Matt Smyth (3 assists for Cincinnati)
Third Star: Olivier Gabriel (2 goals for Evansville)

The Cyclones will return to the ice at U.S. Bank Arena on Wednesday, March 6 when they welcome in the Florida Everblades at 7:30pm. Fans 21+ can enjoy $1 PBR and Miller High Life all night long as we celebrate the start of Spring Break! 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.