For Immediate Release: March 31, 2016

CYCLONES' OFFENSIVE ONSLAUGHT BLOWS BY INDY

Playoff Magic Number Down to Three

Cincinnati, OH- The Cincinnati Cyclones (35-24-5-4) displayed an offensive explosion on Thursday night, scorching the Indy Fuel by a final of 6-1. Forwards Branden Gracel, Christiaan Minella, Jack Downing, Tommy Mele, and Nick Huard, along with defenseman Brett Wysopal, had the goals for the Cyclones, who can clinch a spot in the playoffs with a win and a Tulsa Oilers loss on Friday.

During the first twenty minutes of action, the Cyclones had an abundance of scoring chances and made sure to capitalize on a broken 3-on-2 midway through the period. Defenseman Andrew Blazek found an open Gracel stumbling over the blue line, who followed up his own point-blank shot, gained the rebound, and snuck it under Fuel goaltender Keegan Asmundson’s legs to put the Cyclones ahead by a 1-0 edge.

The Cyclones poured it on in the second frame, adding four more goals to the tally. First, Minella followed up on a Cyclones shot and stuffed in the rebound past the goalie just two minutes into the period. Less than five minutes later with the Cyclones on the power-play, forward Nick Huard dished the puck to Downing who blew a one-timer into the upper-ninety over Asmundson’s left shoulder, giving the home team a 3-0 lead.

Ten minutes later, Mele snuck down the near side, controlled a pass from forward Colin Mulvey, and buried it. Then, late in the period with the Cyclones on a 5-on-3 advantage, Wysopal threw the puck towards the net from the blue line through traffic and it snuck through bodies in front and in, bringing Cincinnati to a 5-0 lead heading into the third.

Indy’s offense came alive after the second intermission, with 18 shots in the final period alone. Early in the third, Indy got on the scoreboard as a knuckling shot from the blue line deflected off Peter Schneider and past Cyclones netminder Andy Iles. With just under four minutes to play, Minella caused a takeaway and found a trailing Huard to bring the goal count to 6-1.

The Cyclones were outshot by Indy, 27-29, with Iles stopping 28 shots in the victory. The Cyclones will play the second of three straight games on Friday night as they travel to Evansville to take on the IceMen. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:15 PM.

The 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs are right around the corner! 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 2016 Kelly Cup Playoff 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!