MOLINE, Ill. – Zach Budish scored once and added two assists and Jack Downing piled up four assists as the Cincinnati Cyclones (30-20-6) built a 6-0 lead on the way to a convincing 6-2 victory over the the host Quad City Mallards (26-24-5) Friday night.
Despite the defeat the Mallards remain in third place in the ECHL’s Midwest Division and ninth place in the Western Conference.
The Cyclones never looked back after breaking loose for three goals in three minutes and 11 seconds late in the first period. The Cincinnati outburst started at 14:24 of the first when Seth Ambroz buried the rebound after Mallard goaltender Brody Hoffman stopped Downing’s breakaway bid. It was during a Cyclone power play that Colin Mulvey pounced on another rebound to double the Cincinnati lead at 16:05. Jonathan Diaby’s blast from the high slot stretched the gap to 3-0 90 seconds later.
The Cyclones struck for three more goals in the third period. Joe Wilson made the score 4-0 by finishing off a 2-on-1 rush at 2:23 of the third and Tommy Mele tipped in the fifth Cincinnati goal 12:09. After Budish capped off the Cyclone onslaught by converting Downing’s centering feed just one minute and one second later, the Mallards produced a pair of late goals that made no impact on the outcome. Matt Neal spoiled Cincinnati goaltender Andrew Iles’ shutout bid from the right wing circle at 13:49 and Matt Carey tipped the puck home from the slot with just 15 seconds remaining.
The Mallards return to action on home ice Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Wichita Thunder. Saturday evening is also Star Wars Night. The Mallards will wear special edition Star Wars-themed jerseys against the Thunder. After the game the jerseys will go up for bid in a live auction to benefit Genesis Family Connects. Genesis Family Connects makes early visits to new mothers and babies, a practice that reduces the number of emergency department visits for infants.
With Quad City Mallards release
Contact the photographer: Rich.Guill@prohockeynews.com (Sean Flynn Photography)
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