Cyclones Roll Past IceMen, 4-2
EVANSVILLE, Indiana – A night of power play prowess helped the Cincinnati Cyclones (25-22-1-4) down the Evansville IceMen (13-35-4-2) by a 4-2 final score in front of 7,616 at the Ford Center on Saturday night.
The Cyclones' special teams unit set the tempo early into the opening period as Branden Gracel and David MacDonald each lit the lamp during Cincinnati power plays over a seven minute span to grab a 2-0 edge. Then, at the 15:10 mark, Joe Basaraba went to the net and redirected home Josh Shalla's shot from the point past Branden Komm (L, 25 saves, 2-4-1-1) to extend the cushion to 3-0 before the first intermission. It was the eighth time this season that the Cyclones scored the game's first three goals.
Evansville finally got on the board five minutes into the middle stanza when a blast from center ice took a bad bounce off of the glass and set up Justin MacDonald at the side of the Cincinnati net; with Rob Madore (W, 37 saves, 10-11-1-3) trying to scramble back in his crease after going behind to cut off the would-be dump, MacDonald was able to sweep the loose puck over the goal line to make it a 3-1 game. The IceMen held the Cyclones to just five shots on goal in the second period as the visitors remained ahead by two through 40 minutes.
The IceMen struck again at the 7:54 of the final period when MacDonald narrowly beat Madore with a low shot from the left circle for his second goal of the night, pulling his team to within one. However, the Cyclones would quickly answer back not even two minutes later as David Pacan redirected home Steven Hodges' offering from the outside at 9:11 to make it a 4-2 affair. That goal would prove to be the final blow as Evansville couldn't muster another rally and the Cyclones held on for the two-goal triumph.
Cincinnati will now head to the Sunshine State for a four-game swing against the Orlando Solar Bears and Florida Everblades beginning Tuesday night at the Amway Center. Fans can hear the action of Tuesday's game vs. the Solar Bears on the Cyclones Radio Network beginning at 6:40pm ET and watch LIVE at the Game Time Sports Bar and Grill in Cheviot.
The Cyclones will be return to U.S. Bank Arena on Friday, March 13 when they welcome in the Orlando Solar Bears at 7:30pm! The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive a Cyclones Bobblehead featuring Twister! Call 513.421.PUCK to secure your seats and for more details. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram!
Click here for tonight's box score