February 24, 2023 – ECHL (ECHL) – Cincinnati Cyclones news release
Cincinnati Cyclones Celebrate Victory (Cincinnati Cyclones) Cincinnati, OH- Down by one, the Cyclones rallied on three unanswered goals in the third period to a 5-3 comeback win over the Wichita Thunder at the Heritage Bank Center.
Cyclones continue what has become a plethora of impressive stats. The team is riding an eight game point streak, has points in 12 of its last 13 games and owns wins in seven of its last eight outings. With a record of 31-12-5-3, Cincinnati sits atop the Central Division standings with 70 points.
Cincinnati wasted no time starting Friday night, scoring 1:25 into the opener on a goal by Matej Pekar (11). The power forward picked up a pass through the neutral zone from Josh Burnside, then skated down the left wing before connecting the puck past Wichita’s Eric Dop to get the “Clones on the board.”
Seconds later, Sean Allen and Mark Liwiski each went to the garage to rough. When they walked out, the duo immediately dropped their gloves for a brawl in center ice that favored Allen, who played portions of his first three pro seasons with the Thunder.
Wichita tied the game 8:08 into the frame on a fast break goal by Timur Ibragimov, who drove the puck past Beck Warm from his blocking end. The even score lasted just 17 seconds, with Patrick Polino finding Matt Berry (12) who crashed into the net to get the veteran goals in consecutive games to give them a 2-1 lead.
Michal Stinil scored his side’s 25th goal of the season late in the first, getting a pass from behind the net and into the 2-2 slot. Cam Hough got Wichita its first lead of the game 9:18 into the second period on a drive in the neutral zone that made it a two-on-one. Former Cyclone Brett Van Os fed a cross-ice to Hough, who fired between Warm’s legs, making it 3-2.
Steven MacLean started the ‘Clones rally, scoring his first pro goal in style, tying the game three apiece just 48 seconds into the third. The 6-7 defender playing in just his second pro game slid to the left wing for a shot that was deflected by Dop, only to get his rebound and even the game.
Polino (13) had a great outing capped off with the winning goal 8:27 into the third. A turnover by Wichita left Polino alone in front of goal to pass him Dop. Andrusiak (20) scored his 10th goal of February 14:31 into the period, providing breathing room with a wrist shot that went in and out of the net to give Cincinnati a 5-3 finish.
Warm earned his 22nd league-leading win of the season making 21 saves for the win.
The Cyclones will close out the February action slate looking to tie a four-game road win streak against the Indy Fuel on Saturday night.
Call (513) 421-PUCK for tickets and more information, and stay tuned for all the latest team updates and information on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
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