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ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Cyclones Sail Past Express, 4-1

March 21, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


CINCINNATI, Ohio - Matt Sisca and Anthony Luciani each had three point games as the Cincinnati Cyclones (31-26-2-7) cruised past the Chicago Express (29-26-7-4) by a 4-1 final score in front of 2,528 at U.S. Bank Arena on Wednesday night. The win gave the Cyclones sole possession of the eight seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race, passing Chicago and the idle Reading Royals.

The Cyclones cashed in on a power play to take an early 1-0 lead, as Matt Carter sent a glove-high wrist shot over the left shoulder of Chicago net minder Rob Madore (L, 20 saves, 3-3-0) at 14:26. Thanks to a strong Cincinnati penalty kill and seven opening period saves from Brian Foster (W, 20 saves, 13-9-1-1), the Cyclones led 1-0 through 20 minutes.

In the middle frame, the Cyclones man-advantage unit produced more offense as Matt Sisca took a feed in the slot from Anthony Luciani and blasted a shot over Madore and into the net at 16:31. At the second intermission, Cincinnati held a two-goal edge.

Midway through the third period, the Cyclones took a commanding 3-0 lead when Luciani finished off a beautiful feed from Sisca in the slot at the 13:29 mark. Unfortunately, Foster's shutout bid was denied just over a minute later when Jonathan Zion carved through the Cincinnati zone and lit the lamp with a shoulder-high wrist shot, making it a 3-1 game. But the Cyclones would respond in kind; just 22 seconds later, Dan Eves careened a puck from behind net off of Madore's left pad and into the cage for a 4-1 Cyclones cushion. They held on to win by the same score.

The victory for Cincinnati gives them sole possession of the eighth and final playoff spot at night's end, with 71 points on the 2011-12 season.

The Cyclones Radio Network Stars of the Game are as follows:

First Star: Matt Sisca (Game winning goal, 3 points for Cincinnati)

Second Star: Anthony Luciani (1 goal, 2 assists for Cincinnati)

Third Star: Brian Foster (Winning goaltender, 20 saves)

After a practice day tomorrow, Cincinnati will visit the Wheeling Nailers this Friday night at 7:35pm. Fans can hear all the action from WesBanco Arena on the Cyclones Radio Network (1050-AM, America One) beginning at 7:20pm.

The Cyclones will return to U.S. Bank Arena this Saturday night when they play host to the Wheeling Nailers at 7:30pm. It will be the final Kids Eat FREE night of the year, when all fans ages 2-12 will receive a FREE meal courtesy of Donatos, Snack Healthy, and Sunny D. 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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