CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Cyclones have won ten of the past twelve games and yet remain 4 points behind Ft.Wayne for the Midwest Division lead. The Cyclones also were returned Netminder Brad Theissen by the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL. With both Cyclones Goalies earning Goaltender of the month honors for February 2016.( Thiessen-AHL, Andy Iles-ECHL )the future is looking good in the nets. With as few games as remain in the regular season every point is critical, and especially against division rivals 3 games in 3 days. Quad City swoops in for the first pair of games Friday and Saturday at USBA and then the ‘Clones travel to a Sunday tilt at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum against the Fuel.
With the Komets currently on the road in Alaska this weekend there is a chance to make up ground if the long trip and time change get to the Ft. Wayne squad.
Tonights’ Netminder matchup is Brad Theissen for the Cyclones and Brody Hoffman for the Mallards. The first stanza featured the Mallards playing most of the period in the Cyclones end. It was chippy from the git-go and every hit was on the edge of going extracurricular. No score from either squad at the end of one.
Once the Cyclones returned to the ice they had 1:57 left on a power play that came at the end of the first.The scoring began at 7:19 with a goal by Tommy Mele and an assist by Colin Mulvey that flashed past Hoffman. Next it was the Cyclones Brett Wysopal grabbing the puck and rolling it over Hoffman on his stick side for a shorty and a two goal ‘Clones lead. The offensive explosion continued at 17:17 when Colin Mulvey scored his 18th goal of the season with assists by Tommy Mele and Nick Huard. The Cyclones took every opportunity save 1 or 2 open net chances as Hoffman was caught out of position.
The final period of regulation continued the chippiness and the Mallards finally got on the board with a tally by Darren McMillan at10:38. There was no further scoring in the contest but I am sure there will be more fireworks tomorrow night in the return engagement as these two rivals face off a second night in a row.
Story and Photos by Rob Huelsman: Rob.Huelsman@prohockeynews.com
