Cyclones Sink Walleye in Season Opener, 4-1
October 18, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release
TOLEDO, Ohio - A strong performance from goaltender Rob Madore and a three-point night from Joe Basaraba helped lead the Cincinnati Cyclones (1-0-0-0) past the Toledo Walleye (0-1-0-0) by a 4-1 final score in front of 8,000 at Huntington Center on Saturday night.
The Cyclones got on the board just 1:30 into the opening stanza as Stephan Vigier slammed in his first pro goal after catching a great feed from Brian Nugent in front of the net. At the other end of the ice, Madore (W, 35 saves, 1-0-0-0) was tested eight times, including a breakaway by Justin Mercier, and held Toledo off the scoreboard to keep his team in the lead after 20 minutes.
The middle period saw the Walleye pump 15 shots on Cincinnati's net, however, Madore stood tall and kept his team ahead by one through two periods. The Cyclones earned a bit of breathing room early into the final frame as Greger Hanson feathered home a deflected puck past Toledo goaltender Jeff Lerg (L, 13 saves, 0-1-0-0) at 1:50 to make it 2-0. The Walleye would answer back, however, with a power play goal by Dane Walters at the 4:19 mark to cut the Cincinnati lead to one. As he had for much of the game, Madore remained poised in net; he ultimately turned aside 13 third period shots. Then, the Cyclones sealed the contest with back-to-back empty net strikes from Joe Basaraba and Wade Megan to finish 4-1 winners in the season opener.
After a week of practice, the Cyclones will return for another season of hockey at U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday, October 25 when they play host to the Kalamazoo Wings at 7:30pm. In addition to $1 John Morrell Hot Dogs, Donatos Pizza, and soda, the first 5,000 fans through the gates will receive a Cyclones Magnet! Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from October 18, 2014
- Grizzlies Beat Idaho 3-2 with Special Teams Showcase - Utah Grizzlies
- Royals Drop Season Opener in Wheeling, 6-3 - Reading Royals
- Gladiators Fall in Game One, 3-1 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Fuel Fall in Fort Wayne, 4-3 - Indy Fuel
- Brace Brings the Hats in 6-3 Season Opening Victory - Wheeling Nailers
- Cyclones Sink Walleye in Season Opener, 4-1 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Morrison Shines as the Stingrays Take Down the Everblades in a Nine-Round Shootout - South Carolina Stingrays
- Gameday Blog: Thunder Look to Rebound against Condors - Stockton Thunder
- ECHL Transactions - October 18 - ECHL
- Game Preview: Stingrays at Everblades, Saturday, October 18, 2014 - Florida Everblades
- Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati at Toledo - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Game Preview: Elmira Jackals vs. Kalamazoo Wings - Elmira Jackals
- Nailers vs. Royals Game Day Snap Shot - Wheeling Nailers
- Royals on the Road - Reading Royals
- Countdown to Face-Off: K-Wings at Jackals - Kalamazoo Wings
- Preview: Road Warriors Open 2014-15 Season Tonight - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Rockford Assigns Fournier to Fuel - Indy Fuel
- ECHL Today - October 18 - ECHL
- Stingrays Game Preview: Stingrays and Everblades Close Season-Opening Weekend Tonight - South Carolina Stingrays
- Aces unveil record-tying third Kelly Cup championship banner - Alaska Aces
- Reign Stun Aces 3-1 in Season Opener - Ontario Reign
- Condors Entertain on Opening Night, Beat Stockton 3-1 - Bakersfield Condors
- Rush soar over Eagles - Rapid City Rush
- Jackals Clip Wings In Season Opener, 6-2 - Elmira Jackals
- Rush Win First ECHL Game - Rapid City Rush
- Owen Stars But Thunder Fall 3-1 - Stockton Thunder
- 7,961 Fans: Largest Opening Night Crowd in over 13 Years - Utah Grizzlies
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Cincinnati Cyclones Stories
- Cyclones Spoil the Fun in K-Zoo
- Cyclones Make History in OT Win
- Cyclones Grab Two Points in Wheeling
- Cyclones Complete Busy Trade Deadline
- Cyclones Power Past the Komets