WHEELING, West Virginia – Chris Barton’s goal in round three of the shootout proved to be the game-winning strike as the Wheeling Nailers (20-13-2-1) came from behind to earn a 4-3 win over the Cincinnati Cyclones (15-12-0-5) in front of 2,342 at WesBanco Arena on Sunday afternoon
The Cyclones raced out of the gate to a 2-0 lead early in the first period; Anthony Luciani tucked in a goal just 1:50 into the game followed by a power play tally by Garrett Wilson, as he tipped in a Luciani shot at 15:03. It was the first time Cincinnati’s power play had converted since January 6. The Nailers answered late in the first, with 18:07 gone, when Peter Lenes’ wrist shot beat Cyclones net minder Brad Fogal (SOL, 26 saves, 1-2-0-2) – cutting the Cincinnati lead to 2-1 after 20 minutes.
The Nailers found the equalizer early in the middle frame when Matt Lombardi buried a shot from just inside the right circle, making it 2-2 at the 7:03 mark. However, the Cyclones pulled back ahead again as Jonathan Hazen slammed in his seventh goal of the season past Nailers goalie Patrick Killeen (W, 32 saves, 11-9-2-1) just 43 seconds later to give the Cyclones a 3-2 edge after two periods.
Like last night, the Nailers found a way to tie the score in the third period as Olivier Dame-Malka sent a cannon-blast through Fogal at the 6:33 mark, making it 3-3. Neither team was able to score again in regulation nor in overtime, despite the Nailers being handed a late power play, so the teams decided the contest in a shootout.
Both first round combatants scored goals, Matt Lombardi for Wheeling and Mathieu Aubin for Cincinnati. However, the Aubin tally would be the last time the Cyclones would light the lamp. Chris Barton’s third-round goal proved to be the game-winner as Killeen stopped Jonathan Hazen’s offering in the final round to seal the 4-3 victory.
The Cyclones Radio Network Three Stars of the Game are as follows:
First Star: Chris Barton (Game-winning goal in the shootout for Wheeling)
Second Star: Peter Lenes (1 goal, 1 assist for Wheeling)
Third Star: Anthony Luciani (1 goal, 1 assist for Cincinnati)
After a few days off for the ECHL All-Star Break, the Cyclones will return to U.S. Bank Arena on Friday night, January 20, when they welcome in the Chicago Express at 7:30pm.
