ELMIRA , New York – Jonathan Hazen’s first goal of the season broke a 2-2 tie in the third period and lifted the Cincinnati Cyclones (3-0-1-0) to a 3-2 win over the Elmira Jackals (4-1-0-0) in front of 2,622 at First Arena on Friday night
Elmira broke the scoreless tie just 5:13 into the opening stanza, when Kevin Harvey blasted a shot over the shoulder of Cyclones net minder Brian Foster (W, 24 saves, 3-0-1-0) for a 1-0 Jackals lead. Then, during an Elmira power play, Matt Campanale grabbed a loose puck at the Cincinnati blue line and sent a shot in toward the Cincinnati net; Artem Demkov, who already had four goals on the season, tipped home the Campanale shot for his fifth lamp-lighter of the year and gave the home team a 2-0 edge. Despite outshooting the Jackals 17-7 in the first period, Cincinnati trailed by two after 20 minutes.
In the second period, the Cyclones had plenty of opportunities to cut the deficit by using the power play. Cincinnati enjoyed four man-advantages in the middle frame, but were unable to strike as Elmira’s penalty kill unit stayed perfect on the night and the season. However, with less than a second left in the period, Garrett Wilson crashed the net and swatted home his third goal of the season past Marc Cheverie (L, 33 saves, 3-1-0-0) to pull Cincinnati to within a goal after two periods.
In the third, Cincinnati carried over the momentum from the late goal as they continued to pepper the Elmira net with chances - and at 3:34 it paid off; Chris Reed send a high wrist shot from the point through a heavy screen and past Cheverie for the game-tying strike. Then, after coming up empty on another power play chance, Jonathan Hazen redirected a Josh McFadden point shot into the net for his first goal of the season at 9:25, giving the Cyclones their first lead of the game at 3-2. In the final minutes, Elmira pulled Cheverie to utilize the extra-attacker. However, Foster was spectacular in the final minutes – turning aside several point-blank Jackals chances and preserved a 3-2 win for Cincinnati.
The Cyclones Radio Network Stars of the Game are as follows:
First Star: Brian Foster (Winning goaltender, 24 saves)
Second Star: Marc Cheverie (Losing goaltender, 33 saves)
Third Star: Francois Bouchard (2 assists for Cincinnati)
The same two teams will battle again at First Arena tomorrow night with the opening face-off slated for 7:05pm. Fans can hear all the action of the game on the Cyclones Radio Network (CyclonesHockey.com / America One) beginning at 6:45pm.
The Cyclones will return to the ice at U.S. Bank Arena on Wednesday, October 31st as they welcome in the Kalamazoo Wings to U.S. Bank Arena for the first time this season.
