ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Sawatske Delivers Win For Cyclones

Published on February 8, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


BILOXI, Mississippi - Cincinnati Cyclones defenseman Tom Sawatske scored his first goal in 350 days and it proved to be the game winner in a 5-2 triumph over Mississippi on Sunday night. Mark Van Guilder netted a goal and had an assist in the win and Ryan Nie turned aside 20 shots in picking up his ninth win against no defeats for the Cyclones.

Sawatske's score came from a tight angle along the left goal line-shooting the puck past Ryan Munce with 1:18 to go in the second period. His last goal came for Phoenix in a 3-1 loss back on February 23, 2008.

Mississippi scored both goals in the first period as Mathieu Melanson collected his 16th goal at 4:32 from Chris Brooks. Jason Tejchma's 13th goal at 17:08 was assisted by Mark Rooneem. Mississippi won the shots on goal battle in the period, 7-6. It was the eighth time this season that the Cyclones had fallen into a 2-0 hole in a game (record: 1-6 entering the game).

The Cyclones exploded for three second period goals to grab a 3-2 edge. Mark Van Guilder netted his 15th goal of the season on the power play at 9:00 from Mike Salekin. The goal by Van Guilder extended his point streak to 13 games-the second-longest current streak in the ECHL. The game was tied up at 15:51 when Dustin Sproat tallied his seventh goal of the campaign from the right goal line. Mike Salekin and Frederic St. Denis had the assists. Sproat's shot was from an extreme tight angle along the goal line. Then, at 18:42, defenseman Tom Sawatske collected his first goal of the season from Van Guilder. It was the 17th time this season that the Cyclones scored three or more goals in a period.

The Cyclones scored both goals of the third period to secure the victory. Matt Syroczynski scored his twelfth goal of the season at 29 seconds with Ben Gordon handing out the assist. An empty net goal from Ben Gordon at 19:07-his eleventh of the year from Sproat closed the scoring. The shots in the third period favored Cincinnati, 10-9, and for the game the Cyclones held the upper hand, 28-22.

Nie extended his club record for wins without a loss from the start of his Cincinnati career to nine with a 20 save performance. Ryan Munce took the loss, stopping 23 shots.

The Cyclones are now 27-17-5 on the season, while Mississippi is 19-24-4. The Cyclones play at Florida to open a three game set against the Everblades on Wednesday night. The game will be carried on MAX FM (97.7 and 99.5) with the pregame show at 7:15pm and the faceoff at 7:30pm.

Tickets for the 2008-09 Cincinnati Cyclones season are now on sale. The Cyclones Sales Department can be reached at 513-421-PUCK, extension 3. For the latest news, notes and information on the team, visit: www.cycloneshockey.com . Ask about the Family Four Pack (four tickets, four hot dogs, four Pepsis, four Cyclones winter hats, four public skate passes at SportsPlus and a SportsPlus game card) for just $69!

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ECHL Stories from February 8, 2009


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