CINCINNATI , Ohio – Garrett Wilson stuffed home the game-winning goal with just 38 seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Cincinnati Cyclones (4-0-2-0) to a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Kalamazoo Wings (5-2-0-0) in front of 1,571 at U.S. Bank Arena on Wednesday night. The win also extended Cincinnati’s home winning streak to three games.
Both teams got out to a slow start and neither was able to find a way to score in the opening frame. Things did get a bit physical in the middle of the period when Brian O’Hanley for Cincinnati and Justin Taylor of Kalamazoo were both whistled for roughing at the 11:16 mark. Just a few seconds after play got back underway they were joined in the penalty box by David Pacan and Darren Archibald who dropped the gloves and exchanged blows. Despite outshooting the Wings 11-5 in the opening stanza, the game was tied through 20 minutes.
Kalamazoo forward Aaron Clarke finally broke the scoreless deadlock 5:52 into the second frame, as he backhanded a loose puck over the left leg of Cincinnati goaltender Brian Foster (W, 19 saves, 4-0-2-0). Cyclones rookie David Pacan would answer though, when he tied the game at 1-1 on a wrist shot over the glove of Kalamazoo goaltender Joel Martin (L, 26 saves, 3-2-0-0) at 14:42 after O’Hanley found him in the middle of the Wings’ zone. Just as it was at the end of the first period, the teams were all square after two.
Just 1:03 into the third period the Wings pulled ahead again, 2-1, on a Brett Lysak shot that eluded Foster’s glove. But with 7:40 gone in the frame, the momentum would change again; Cyclones defenseman Taylor Aronson was tripped from behind on a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot. After a nice deke, he slipped a backhander past Martin to tie the game back up at 2-2. Then, with just 2:39 to play, Aaron Clarke hauled down Cyclones forward Mattias Lindstrom and was whistled for a tripping minor – sending Cincinnati to its fifth power play of the game. Just one second after the man advantage had expired, Garrett Wilson found a loose puck at the top of the goal crease and stuffed it in for his fourth goal of the season – making it 3-2 Cyclones with 38 seconds to play. They would hold on to win by the same score.
With the victory, Cincinnati improves to 3-0-0 at U.S. Bank Arena and remains unbeaten in regulation with a record of 4-0-2.
The Cyclones Radio Network Stars of the Game are as follows:
First Star: Garrett Wilson (Game Winning Goal for Cincinnati)
Second Star: Taylor Aronson (Game Tying Goal, 1 assist for Cincinnati)
Third Star: David Pacan (1 goal, 1 assist for Cincinnati)
The same two teams will do battle on Friday night at Wings Stadium, with the puck set to drop at 7:30pm. Fans can hear all the action of the game on the Cyclones Radio Network (CyclonesHockey.com / America One) beginning at 7:10pm.
The Cyclones will return to the ice at U.S. Bank Arena THIS SATURDAY as they welcome in the Wheeling Nailers at 7:30pm!
