ESTERO, FL – The Cincinnati Cyclones (6-2-1-0) secured a 4-1 win over the Florida Everblades Friday night at Germain Arena. It was a career night for Cyclones forward Justin Danforth, who recorded his first career hat trick, while forward Shawn O’Donnell added a goal and two assists.
The Cyclones scored early and often in this one, as 4:24 into the opening period while on the power play, forward Jesse Schultz sent a pass from the right circle to O’Donnell who trickled the puck between the pads of Florida netminder Martin Ouellette to put Cincinnati ahead 1-0.
The Cyclones’ man advantage struck again 21 seconds later, when O’Donnell found Danforth in the high slot. Danforth snaked his way through traffic before wristing a shot by Ouellette to give Cincinnati a 2-0 advantage.
Cincinnati’s offense struck a third time with just 2.8 seconds left in the period, as a point shot from defenseman Mitch Nylen was deflected in by Danforth for his second of the period.
The Cyclones took their 3-0 lead through a scoreless second period, and 2:13 into the third, Florida got on the board when forward Justin Kea scored his first of the season.
That was all the offense the Everblades were able to muster, and with 19 seconds remaining in regulation, forward Brandon McNally sent a pass to Danforth who slid the puck into the empty net to complete the hat trick, and send Cincinnati to a 4-1 win.
Cyclones netminder Jason Kasdorf was stellar in net, stopping 28 of the 29 shots he faced to collect the win. The Cycloneslones and Everblades wrap up their three-game series on Saturday night. Face-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET.
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