Special Teams Key As Cyclones Win Second Straight
For Immediate Release: October 24, 2015
SPECIALTEAMS KEY AS CYCLONES WIN SECOND STRAIGHT
Power Play Scores Twice, While Penalty Kill is Perfect
CINCINNATI, OH-The Cincinnati Cyclones (2-0-0-0) earned a 4-1 win over the Kalamazoo Wings on Friday night at U.S. Bank Arena. Defensemen Garrett Noonan and Steve Weinstein, and forwards Christiaan Minella and Eric Robinson scored the goals for the Cyclones, who scored three times within the first five minutes of a period.
After a scoreless opening period that ended with a thrilling fight between Cincinnati’s Jaynen Rissling and Kalamazoo’s Eric Kattelus, the Cyclones drew first blood just 1:17 into the second while on the power play, when Robinson cut in front of the net and threw a shot on goal that was initially kicked out, but following up the play was Noonan who slammed it past Kalamazoo goalie Joel Martin, giving the Cyclones a 1-0 lead.
That lead became 2-0 a few minutes later when a puck that was deflected into the air was batted down by Kalamazoo’s Darren Archibald and into the net, 4:15 into the second. Minella was given credit for the goal, as he was the last Cyclone to touch it.
The Wings’ offense struck midway through the frame when forward Justin Kovacs lit the lamp, cutting Cincinnati’s lead to 2-1 after 40 minutes.
Cincinnati pushed their lead to 3-1, just 1:27 into the third, when Robinson stole a Kalamazoo clearing attempt at the far blueline and skated in on Martin, wristing it past him, giving Cincinnati a two-goal cushion.
Cincinnati capped off the big win at the 11:30 mark of the third while on the man advantage, when Weinstein took a pass from forward Peter Quenneville on the side of the net and stuffed it past Martin, sealing the Cyclones’ 4-1 win.
The Cyclones outshot Kalamazoo, 34-20, on the night, with Cyclones netminder Brad Thiessen stopping 19 shots to earn his second win of the season. Special teams played a big role for the Cyclones, as the power play converted on two-of-three opportunities, while the penalty kill was a perfect 6-for-6.
The Cyclones hit the road for the first time this season next Friday to take on Kalamazoo. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00pm.
The 2015-2016 season is underway! Your Cyclones are on the march towards another Kelly Cup Championship, and want you along for the ride! Be sure to check out one of our 2015-16 Ticket Packages, available NOW! Call 513.421.PUCK to reserve your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), Instagram, and our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!