Special Teams Doom Express in 7-3 Loss to Cincinnati

February 18, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Chicago Express News Release


Hoffman Estates, IL - The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL and proud affiliate of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, gave up five special teams goals en route to a 7-3 loss to the Cincinnati Cyclones at the Sears Centre Arena on Saturday night.

Cincinnati struck first on a 5-on-3 at 4:06 when RW Anthony Luciani faked G Peter Mannino left and then wristed a shot over his glove for the early lead. The Express answered back at 11:09 when D Evan Stephens fired a shot from the point that got deflected in front of the crease and into the net by newly acquired F Ryley Grantham. The Cyclones regained the lead with just under 3 minutes to go in the period when RW Jonathan Hazen stole the puck after an errant Express pass and fired a breakaway goal over Mannino's blocker to make it 2-1. Both teams would end the period with 11 shots on goal.

The Express opened up the second period with a 5-on-3 power play and capitalized just 1:03 in when D Scott Wietecha buried a wrist shot past Cyclones G Brian Foster. Cincinnati took the lead once again at 9:21 when LW Garrett Wilson found a puck that took an awkward bounce off of the leg pad of Mannino and slid it into the net to make it a 3-2 game. The Cyclones added a shorthanded goal when C Mathrew Sisca took a shot from the side of the net at 18:44 that bounced off of the skate of Mannino, off the post, and into the net.

The Cyclones increased their lead to 5-2 early in the third, as RW Joe Devin knocked home a one-timer from the low slot 3:39 into the third period. D Darcy Campbell brought the Express back to within two when he collected a rebound on the power play and roofed a shot, cutting the lead to 5-3 with 11:13 left to play. It was not enough, however, as the Cyclones scored on the power play with 2:48 remaining, and added a second shorthanded goal, this time on an empty net, to collect the game's final 7-3 score.



ECHL Stories from February 18, 2012


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