ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Cyclones Fall to Komets in Shootout, 5-4

November 15, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


CINCINNATI, Ohio - Former Cyclone Paul Crowder picked up the game-ending goal in the 5th round of the shootout to give the Fort Wayne Komets (10-2-0-0) a 5-4 victory over the Cincinnati Cyclones (4-3-0-2) in front of 6,844 at U.S Bank Arena on Saturday night.

Just 20 seconds into the tilt, Mike Embach found a loose puck in the right circle and feathered a shot past Rob Madore (SOL, 22 saves, 2-1-0-2) to make it 1-0 Komets. Despite shooting Fort Wayne by a 12-8 margin, the Cyclones trailed by one after 20 minutes.

The second period saw plenty of action and plenty of offense for both sides. Just 2:03 into the middle period, Michael Neal directed a shot into the net past Sami Aittokallio (W, 23 saves, 3-1-0-0) to even things at one goal apiece. However, the Komets rattled off two straight goals in a matter of a minute to pull back ahead by a pair; Mitchell Heard and Eric Faille scored at 6:15 and 7:06 respectively. But then Cincinnati's special teams began to turn the tides. Byron Froese blasted in a power play goal at 9:58 to pull his team to within one. Then, after Mikko Vainonen blocked a shot during a Komets power play, Froese was sprung on a shorthanded breakaway and buried his second of the night to make things even at three. The teams would remain deadlocked after two periods.

Fort Wayne raced back out in front only 22 seconds into the final period of regulation as Shawn Szydlowski worked his way to the high slot and snapped in the go-ahead goal to make it 4-3. Cincinnati would valiantly fight back again to knot things up as Neal finished off a great play from defenseman Shayne Taker to light the lamp for the second time on the night at make it a 4-4 contest. Neither team could find the net in the remaining third period time, nor in the five-minute overtime session - so a shootout proved necessary. After three scoreless rounds, Matthew Pistilli backhand home a strike to give his team the advantage. Then, after Cincinnati didn't convert in their fourth round offering, former Cyclone Paul Crowder buried a shot to seal a 5-4 shootout victory for the Komets.

The Cyclones will be back on the ice at U.S. Bank Arena this Tuesday, November 18 for their annual Education in Hockey Day! Schools are invited to spend the day with us at U.S. Bank Arena as we put together a full educational program for the kids using hockey as the backdrop. Each year, nearly 7,500 students from over 50 schools in three states attend the program! Call 513.421.PUCK to secure your seats and for more details. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram!

Check out the Cincinnati Cyclones Statistics



ECHL Stories from November 15, 2014


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.

OurSports Central