KALAMAZOO, Michigan – Taylor Aronson’s power play goal at the 2:34 mark of overtime sealed a wild 3-2 victory for the Cincinnati Cyclones (18-13-0-5) over the Kalamazoo Wings (22-14-2-2) in front of 3,572 at Wings Stadium on Friday night. Despite outshooting the Wings 15-7 in the opening period, the Cyclones were unable to beat Kalamazoo net minder Maxime Clermont (L, 42 saves, 7-9-1-1) and the teams were scoreless through 20 minutes of play.
The Cyclones broke the deadlock 12:14 into the second period as David Leaderer slammed in a rebound following Matt Sisca’s wraparound try, making it 1-0. And thanks to 11 middle frame saves by Cincinnati goalie Chet Pickard (W, 28 saves, 8-9-0-1), the Cyclones held the one-goal edge at the second intermission.
Just a few seconds after a Kalamazoo power play expired midway through the third stanza, Brent Clarke picked up a turnover at the Cincinnati blue line and blasted it through Pickard for the game-tying goal at 11:45. Then, inside the final minute, Brian Haczyk dangled past a Cincinnati defender and lifted a shot over Pickard’s shoulder to give the Wings a 2-1 lead. In thrilling fashion, the Cyclones pulled even with the extra attacker at the 19:43 mark as Mathieu Aubin buried a rebound – making it 2-2 at the end of regulation.
In the extra session, the Wings were whistled for a too-many-men on the ice penalty just 1:20 in, giving the Cyclones another power play opportunity. They made Kalamazoo pay; Chris Cahill fed Taylor Aronson at the Kalamazoo blue line, who then cannoned in his second lamp-lighter of the season at 2:34 to give Cincinnati a 3-2 win. It was the eighth come-from-behind triumph this season for Jarrod Skalde’s team.
“I thought we played very well all game long,” said Cyclones Head Coach Jarrod Skalde. “It was definitely dejecting to see [Kalamazoo] get the lead but we came back and got a break with a four-on-three in overtime. We deserved to win that game, it was a heck of a comeback. Chet Pickard was sensational tonight as well and was well-deserving of the win.”
The Cyclones Radio Network Three Stars of the Game are as follows:
First Star: Taylor Aronson (Game-winning goal for Cincinnati)
Second Star: Brian Haczyk (1 goal for Kalamazoo)
Third Star: Mathieu Aubin (1 goal, 1 assist for Cincinnati)
The Cyclones will return to Chicago and resume their series with the Express tomorrow night at Sears Centre beginning at 8:30pm ET. Fans can hear all the action on the Cyclones Radio Network (1050-AM, America One) starting at 8:15pm ET.
The Cyclones will return to U.S. Bank Arena on Wednesday, February 1 as they welcome in the Toledo Walleye at 7:30pm.
