ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Cyclones Hang on to Hammer Nailers, 5-3

Published on March 24, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


CINCINNATI, Ohio - Thanks to some late game defensive heroics and a two-goal night by Anthony Luciani, the Cincinnati Cyclones (33-26-2-7) hung on to beat the Wheeling Nailers (35-25-4-4) by a 5-3 final score in front of 4,990 at U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday night. The victory extended Cincinnati's winning streak to three games and shrunk its magic number to clinch a playoff spot to seven.

For just the ninth time this season, the Cyclones pulled out to a 3-0 lead; At 3:25, Ondrej Roman skated into the Wheeling zone and cannoned in his first goal with Cincinnati from just outside the left circle. Then, at 7:12, Anthony Luciani caught a pass from Dan Eves and backhanded a shot through the legs of Wheeling goaltender Peter Delmas (L, 17 saves, 18-14-1-2) for a two-goal edge. Just 41 seconds later, Matt Sisca's shot from the low rim of the right circle snuck past the left pad of Delmas and into the net for the 3-0 Cincinnati advantage. However, after a Wheeling timeout, Paul Crowder cut out of the Cincinnati corner and stuffed the puck through Chet Pickard (W, 31 saves, 14-12-0-2) at 8:17 to pull his team within a pair at the first intermission.

The Nailers continued the comeback in the middle stanza as Matt Schepke and Cody Chupp each lit the lamp at 4:17 and 10:53 respectively to knot the score at three. Cincinnati finally answered back at 12:50 when Mike Pelech found Keith Seabrook with a pass to the slot, and he chipped in his second goal in as many nights to give the Cyclones a 4-3 lead after 40 minutes.

In the third period, Wheeling continued to pepper the Cincinnati net with chances, 10 in all. Yet, Pickard was equal to the task on each and every one of them, including two game-saving stops in the final minute as Wheeling pulled its goalie. Then, as time wound down, Luciani chased down a bouncing puck at center ice and guided it into the empty net to seal a 5-3 victory for Cincinnati. It was the Cyclones' third-straight win and shrunk their magic number to clinch a playoff spot down to seven.

Cincinnati will close out a busy weekend on the road tomorrow afternoon as they visit the Kalamazoo Wings at 4:00pm. Fans can hear all of the action on the Cyclones Radio Network (Real Talk 1160, America One) beginning at 3:45pm.

The Cyclones will return to U.S. Bank Arena next Friday night, March 30 when they play host to the Toledo Walleye at 7:30pm. It will be Cincinnati's Largest Fish Fry AND Kids Jersey T-Shirt Night presented by the Plastic Surgery Group. Fans can enjoy fish sandwiches and $1 beers prior to the game on the outer plaza at U.S. Bank Arena. In addition, the first 1,500 fans ages 2-12 will receive a FREE Kids Jersey T-Shirt. Secure your seats now by calling 513.421.PUCK or log on to CyclonesHockey.com. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).

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ECHL Stories from March 24, 2012


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