CINCINNATI, Ohio – Mathieu Aubin’s third period goal proved to be the game winner as the Cincinnati Cyclones (21-14-0-6) picked up a 3-2 win over the South Carolina Stingrays (27-19-1-1) in front of 5,952 at U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday night.
The Stingrays enjoyed four consecutive power plays in the opening period and capitalized, as Matt Hamilton tucked in a rebound past Cyclones goaltender Brad Fogal (W, 25 saves, 4-2-0-2) at 14:37 to make it 1-0. However, less than a minute later, Cincinnati’s Dan Eves answered with a shorthanded goal at 15:06 to knot the score at one. On their only power play of the period, Maury Edwards cannoned a point blast through Stingrays goaltender Philipp Grubauer (L, 14 saves, 17-10-1-1) at 19:36 to give the Cyclones a 2-1 lead at the first intermission.
The lone goal of the second period came off of a South Carolina stick as David DeKastrozza blasted a shot from just outside the right circle over Fogal’s shoulder, pulling the Stingrays even with Cincinnati at 2-2. The Cyclones were held to just three shots in the middle frame and remained tied with South Carolina after 40 minutes of play.
Midway through the third period, the Cyclones pulled ahead thanks to a fortunate bounce behind the South Carolina net; during a battle below the goal line, Mathieu Aubin deflected the puck off of Grubauer’s shoulder and into the net for the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal at 13:26. The Cyclones killed off another power play in the final minutes to preserve the 3-2 win, their third straight. It was also the 11th time this year that Cincinnati had come from behind to earn a victory.
The Cyclones Radio Network Three Stars of the Game are as follows:
First Star: Mathieu Aubin (Game-winning goal, 1 assist for Cincinnati)
Second Star: Dan Eves (1 goal for Cincinnati)
Third Star: Brad Fogal (25 saves for Cincinnati, Winning goalie)
The Cyclones will continue their month-opening home stand with another battle against the Toledo Walleye at U.S. Bank Arena on Wednesday, February 8 at 7:30pm.
