CINCINNATI, Ohio – The annual school day game at USBA was one of five that took place around the ECHL Wednesday morning. Despite the usual game day routines being thrown out of kilter a few games during the season, this is an opportunity to bring new fans to the sport. 7,000 screaming youngsters can certainly bring energy to an arena. More than a game goes on at these events. Lessons in math, science and geography are frequently taught along with the enjoyment of hockey.
The Cyclones entered the game having won six of the previous eight games, most of which were on the road. With so few home contests this early in the season, being at home seems a welcome luxury.
Once again in net was Anthony Peters (4-3-1-0 )who has been solid in goal thus far. Justin Danforth scored a hat Trick two games ago in Florida. The ‘Clones, shorthanded due to AHL call-ups, dressed only nine forwards and six defensemen are for the game. The Cyclones sat one point ahead of the Mallards in the division standings so this was an important first of nine meetings this season.
The opening stanza began rather slowly for both teams as the early morning fogginess seemed to last the majority of the period with few shots on goal. The Mallards went to the power play first, but Peters made the needed saves to keep it scoreless. The ‘Clones Captain, Eric Knodel, beat Mallards goalie Khulbakov with a laser shot from the top of the circle to give the home team the lead at 17:56. The Cyclones went into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.
The Cyclones came out to begin the middle frame firing away at the Quad City netminder. Defenseman Arvin Atwal had two nice opportunities to up the score, unfortunately one hit the iron but did not bounce in. It was not terribly long after when Shawn Odonnell doubled the Cyclones lead at 6:42 on a backhand shot from the bottom of the left circle that evaded the Mallard goaltender. The ‘Clones then went on the man advantage and promptly raised the lead to three on a tally by Knodel once again. This time splitting the defense and firing a wrister into the back of the net.
A sense of desperation seemed to descend upon the visitors. Garnering a five-on-three power play put a bit more spring in the Mallards and the attack produced a power play goal with 8:34 left from Tyler Wong. No further scoring occurred in the period.
The final period of regulation went mostly as the first two with the Cyclones smothering the Mallards’ chances. The Cyclones regained the three goal advantage once again as Atwal finally solved Khulbakov for a 4-1 score.
On the power play once again, the Mallards potted another goal, this time by Kyle Follmer with 5:40 left in regulation to halve the lead. Quad City soon pulled their goaltender for a sixth attacker. Knodel found the empty net for a 5-2 win and a hat trick, the second for a Cyclone in three games. All in all, a good field trip for the students this year.
Contact the writer: Rob.Huelsman@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer: Shawn.Conkle@prohockeynews.com
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