ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Cyclones Cruise into Holiday Break with Big Win

Published on December 20, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


Wichita, KS - The Cincinnati Cyclones (13-8-2-2) picked up a 6-1 win over the Wichita Thunder on Sunday evening. Forwards Zach Budish and Branden Gracel each had a pair of goals, while forwards Christiaan Minella and Joe Wilson each added lone tallies for the Cyclones, who snap their two-game losing streak.

The Cyclones wasted little time jumping on the Thunder, as 13:24 into the opening frame, forward Andrew Yogan kept a play alive in the Cyclones' offensive end, and sent a pass from the left wing wall out to Budish who launched a wrister past Thunder netminder David Shantz, putting Cincinnati up, 1-0.

Budish was not finished, as roughly three minute later Shantz came out to challenge Yogan on a shot, and he toe-dragged the puck around him and sent a cross-ice feed to Budish who buried his second goal of the period, extending Cincinnati's lead to 2-0 after 20 minutes.

After Wichita cut the Cyclones' lead to 2-1 on a goal from Andy Huff, Cincinnati's offense went back to work late in the second period, when forward Peter Quenneville sent a pass from the right circle to Minella who was all alone in the slot, and he fired it off the crossbar and in, pushing the Cyclones' lead to 3-1.

Just 23 seconds later, that lead became 4-1 when Gracel sent a rocket from the bottom of the left circle past Shantz, giving the Cyclones a three-goal lead after two periods.

Cincinnati's offense continued to produce in the third, when defenseman Mike Ratchuk sent a pass to Gracel who hammered a shot past Shantz while on a 5-on-3 power play, pushing the Cyclones' lead to four goals, 5-1, 3:42 into the frame.

The Cyclones wrapped up the big win late in the third, when Wilson deposited his sixth of the season at the 17:14 mark, sealing Cincinnati's 6-1 win.

Neil Conway was stellar in net, stopping 15 of the 16 shots he faced to collect his first win as a Cyclone. The Cyclones outshot the Thunder, 35-16, while the power play converted on one-of-five chances. Cincinnati next takes the ice next Saturday night in Evansville. Faceoff is slated for 8:15pm ET.

The 2015-2016 season is underway! Your Cyclones are on the march towards another Kelly Cup Championship, and want you along for the ride! Be sure to check out one of our 2015-16 Ticket Packages, available NOW! Call 513.421.PUCK to reserve your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), Instagram, and our website, www.cycloneshockey.com !

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ECHL Stories from December 20, 2015


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