Quick Hits: Cyclones Win Exhibition Affair Over Indy, 4-1

Quick Hits: Cyclones Win Exhibition Affair Over Indy, 4-1

Quick Hits: Cyclones Win Exhibition Affair Over Indy, 4-1   

Cincinnati,OH- Four goals and 55 penalty minutes tallied by the Cyclones gave the fans plentiful opportunities to cheer on their team en route to a 4-1 preseason win over the Indy Fuel. Gino Esteves struck with the game-winning-goal in the second period, while Mat Robson performed excellent in net, stopping 33 shots.

  • After a back-and-forth first, Cincinnati managed to capitalize on a puck in front of the goal late in the period by way of Louie Caporusso. The 32-year-old center was led to the net on a feed by Matt McLeod; a fellow newcomer to the Cyclones' locker room, to grab the game's first goal with 31 seconds left to play in the opening frame.


  • The Cyclones were doubled up in shots during the second period (14-7), but managed two of the period's three goals. After Indy cashed in on a power play opportunity to tie the game, Gino Esteves grabbed a rebound off Caporusso's initial shot, sliding the puck underneath Fuel goaltender Tom Aubrun to retake the lead for the 'Clones. Esteves' goal came just over two minutes after Seamus Malone tied things for Indy.
  • Justin Vaive, the team's captain, cashed in on a net-front chance on the Cyclones first power play of the game. Just 24 seconds into the man advantage, veteran Jesse Schultz found Vaive in front of the crease for the 3-1 advantage.

"It's been 19 months here [since we played]," said Vaive. "Getting to see some familiar faces and hear this crowd again; it's just a great experience all around. Playing with Schultz for so many years means it helps me know where he's going and know what he's doing. I just try to put myself in a good position and more times than not he's going to find me in a position for us to be successful."

  • The 'Clones cashed in on their final goal of the night from Brett Van Os to make it 4-1. Defenseman Jack Van Boekel pinched in for a feed to get Van Os to his backhand on the low, blocker side of Indy's Mitch Gillam, who came in to play the third. 
  • Mat Robson made 33 saves on the night, including two breakaways in the second period from Spencer Watson and Seamus Malone, respectively.
  • The contest came to a close following a 10-minute delay caused by an altercation between Cyclones' defenseman Nick Boka and Indy forward, Colton Heffley. The scrum began near the benches as both Boka and Heffley dropped the gloves and went for a multi-minute showdown exchanging flurries of fists until the officials had both parties subside. Boka left the ice up in arms, engaging and enlightening the fans at Heritage Bank Center.

Cincinnati plays the second and final exhibition game of a two-pair with the Fuel on the road this Saturday at 6 P.M.

The 2021-2022 season will kick off at Heritage Bank Center on Saturday, October 30. Stay tuned all off-season for updates on important events, player signings, promotion and ticketing information and MORE! Call (513) 421-PUCK for tickets and more information, and stay on top of all the latest team updates and information on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com

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