KALAMAZOO, MI – Playing their best sixty minutes of the young season, the Kalamazoo Wings downed the Cincinnati Cyclones, 3-1, in the annual Halloween orange ice game presented by Meijer on Friday night at Wings Event Center.
With a bevy of scoring chances in the first for both teams, the Wings were able to find of the back of the net in the form of a Justin Taylor tally. Forcing a turnover at the Cyclones’ blue line, Ludwig Blomstrand created a three-on-one opportunity. Blomstrand lifted a pass to Steven Kaunisto, who found Taylor in the high slot. After a patient toe drag, Taylor lifted a backhander over the blocker of Brandon Whitney.
Midway through the second period, the Cyclones evened the game up at one. Buzzing around the Wings’ defensive zone, Cincinnati took advantage of open ice in front of the net of Joel Martin. The traffic gave Garrett Noonan the opportunity to lift the puck to the top corner, over Martin’s glove.
The Cincinnati Cyclones thought they had taken a one-goal lead on a Zach Budish tip in the second period, but the officials immediately waved off the would-be tally as it was played with a high stick.
Powered by their turn of fortunes, the Wings would take a 2-1 lead with a power play marker. Alex Mallet’s initial shot was stopped by the pads of Whitney, and Adam Phillips found himself in perfect position to bury the rebound for his second tally of the season.
The Cyclones began the final frame with extended pressure, but a series of timely saves from Martin gave his team the chance to extend their lead to 3-1. Justin Kovacs lifted a pass to Lane Scheidl who was streaking through the neutral zone, creating a two-on-one break. With Tyler Shattock being shadowed by a Cincinnati defender, Scheidl called his own number to pick the top corner and slam the door shut for Kalamazoo.
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