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ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Cyclones Soar Past Komets, 4-2

January 4, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


FORT WAYNE, Indiana - Mike Embach's third period goal turned out to be the game winner as the Cincinnati Cyclones (20-10-2-0) knocked off the Fort Wayne Komets (17-15-1-1) by a 4-2 final score in front of 7,329 at Memorial Coliseum on Friday night. It is the fastest that Cincinnati has reached the 20-win plateau since the 2009-10 campaign and third-fastest in club history.

After falling behind early in the shots on net department, the Cyclones surged ahead on the scoreboard thanks to rookie John McFarland. The talented Florida Panthers prospect carried the puck through the neutral zone, beat a Komets defender and tucked in a backhand through the legs of Marco Cousineau (L, 22 saves, 2-2-0) at the 13:08 mark to give Cincinnati a 1-0 edge. And thanks to 12 saves from Michael Houser (W, 30 saves, 3-1-0) at the other end, the visiting Cyclones led by a goal through 20 minutes.

In the middle stanza, the Komets found the equalizer at the 10:06 mark when J.M. Rizk batted in a rebound past Houser to make it a 1-1 game. Cincinnati's Anthony Luciani would answer, though, just 1:46 later when he potted his first goal of the season on a glove-high wrist shot from the slot to give the visiting team a 2-1 cushion. However, during a Cyclones power play, a turnover gave Corey Elkins a shorthanded chance in the Cyclones slot - and he delivered; the former Buckeye beat Houser with 13:39 gone to once again knot things, this time at two. The teams remained even heading into the second intermission.

The Cyclones pulled back ahead midway through the final frame as Taylor Ellington went behind the Fort Wayne net and fed Mike Embach with a tape-to-tape pass into the right circle; in one-timer fashion, Embach buried his fifth lamp-lighter of the season at 9:45 - which turned out to be the game winner. In the final minute, former Cyclone Thomas Beauregard missed an open-net opportunity that could have tied it at three - but he fanned on the shot which allowed Houser time to cover up. Then, with less than 30 seconds to play, David Pacan deposited an empty net goal to seal a 4-2 triumph for the Cyclones

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

First Star: Mike Embach (1 goal, 1 assist, Game-Winning Goal for Cincinnati)

Second Star: J.M. Rizk (1 goal for Fort Wayne)

Third Star: Michael Houser (30 saves, winning goaltender)

The Cyclones will return to the ice at U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday, January 5 when they play host to the Fort Wayne Komets at 7:30pm. It will be Throwback Night where fans can purchase $8 tickets while enjoying $1 John Morrell Hot Dogs, Donatos Pizza, Soda, and Beer! Plus, the game will also feature the annual Teddy Bear Toss; fans will be encouraged to bring a new or gently loved stuffed animal to throw onto the ice after the Cyclones first goal. The collection of plush will be donated to the Cincinnati Police Department. Call 513.421.PUCK or visit CyclonesHockey.com to reserve your seats! Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).

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