CINCINNATI, Ohio – Louie Caporusso had a pair of goals as the Elmira Jackals (19-15-2-2) defeated the Cincinnati Cyclones (22-13-3-1) by a 3-1 final score in front of 2,042 at U.S. Bank Arena on Tuesday night.
In a physical first period that saw three fights and 36 minutes in penalties, only the Jackals were able get on the scoreboard. At the 7:38 mark, Louie Caporusso was credited with a lamp lighter that appeared to have been knocked past Michael Houser with a glove. However, it was quickly ruled a good goal by the officials and Elmira had a 1-0 that they would carry for the remainder of the period.
Cincinnati struck early into the middle frame when David Pacan picked up a loose and fed a backhand pass to Mike Embach in the slot, who fired a shot past Elmira goaltender Maxime Clermont (W, 37 saves, 8-6-2) with just 2:38 gone to even the score at one goal each. Just over one minute later, the Jackals regained the lead at 2-1 as Brandon Blandina one-timed a shot over Michael Houser (L, 26 saves, 4-3-0) after catching a pass from the corner. For the rest of the period the teams continued to rack up penalties minutes, but neither could find the back of the net. Through 40 minutes, it remained a one-goal game at 2-1 Elmira.
Caporusso cashed in his second goal of the game 2:48 into the final stanza as he skated down the center of the ice on a breakaway, gave a head fake, and tucked a backhand shot past the outstretched pad of Houser to push the Jackals lead to 3-1. The Cyclones had several opportunities to try and recover, including a late penalty shot, but were unable to get anything past Clermont and fell by a 3-1 final score.
The Cyclones Radio Network Stars of the Game are as follows:
First Star: Louie Caporusso (2 goals for Elmira)
Second Star: Dustin Gazley (2 assists for Elmira)
Third Star: Mike Embach (1 goal for Cincinnati)
Cincinnati will continue a swing through the Atlantic Division as they embark on a weekend road trip to Reading and Trenton.
