CYCLONES FALL IN PRESEASON OPENER
For Immediate Release: October 6, 2017
CYCLONES FALL IN PRESEASON OPENER
Back-and-Forth Affair Results in Shootout Loss
Wheeling, WV- The Cincinnati Cyclones fell in their preseason opener on Friday night, 5-4 in a shootout to the Wheeling Nailers. Defenseman Anthony Florentino tallied a pair pf power play goals, while forwards Justin Danforth and Winston Day Chief each netted lone markers for the Cyclones.
After the Nailers took a 2-0 lead on a pair of Nick Sorkin goals, the Cyclones cut their lead in half when forward Jesse Schultz broke up a play at the Nailers blueline and sent a pass to Danforth who skated in and tucked a shot around Wheeling netminder Colin Stevens to cut Cincinnati’s deficit in half, 2-1, after 20 minutes.
Cincinnati pulled even with the Nailers early in the second when a point shot from defenseman Jordan Henderson was deflected in by Day Chief who was stationed out front, tying the game, 2-2, 3:17 into the frame.
The 2-2 score held up throughout the remainder of the second, and in the third Wheeling regained the lead when forward Riley Bourbonnais lit the lamp 5:59 into the final frame to put the Nailers ahead, 3-2.
That lead was short lived, as just :58 seconds later Florentino hammered a slapshot from the left circle and in on the power play to pull the Cyclones back even, 3-3.
Wheeling was not deterred and took the lead back, 4-3, midway through the frame when forward Hunter Fejes found the back of the net with a power play marker of his own.
As was the case earlier in the game, the Cyclones clawed their way back and managed to tie the game for a third time when Florentino fired a slapshot off of the crossbar and in for his second power play goal of the third period with a little less than three minutes to play in regulation.
The 4-4 score held up throughout the remainder of the third, and after a scoreless overtime that saw just six combined shots, the two sides headed to a shootout.
In the skills competition, the first three shooters for each side were denied before Danforth gave the Cyclones a 1-0 lead. The Nailers put it away however on goals from forwards Cam Brown and Garrett Meurs to seal the 5-4 shootout win.
Cincinnati goaltenders Anthony Peters and Jason Kasdorf split time in this one, combining to stop 32 of Wheeling’s 36 shots in the loss. The two teams will wrap up preseason action on Sunday afternoon in Wheeling. Faceoff is scheduled for 5:05pm ET.
The march towards 2017 First Face-Off is ON! The Cincinnati Cyclones return to U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday, October 14, when they take on the Kalamazoo Wings. In the meantime, we invite you to stay tuned in the coming weeks for information on tickets and promotions for the 2017-18 season, great offseason events like Concrete Clones, player signings, and MORE! Call (513) 421-PUCK for information regarding Cyclones Season and Group Tickets, and you can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
