PHN’s Best Shots of the Game: Cyclones edge Mallards 3-2 in shootout

MOLINE, Ill. – Peter Leblanc scored the deciding shootout goal as the Cincinnati Cyclones (5-5-0) outlasted the host Quad City Mallards (5-3-1) to earn a 3-2 shootout victory Sunday. The Mallards, who twice battled from behind to tie the score, did grab one point for the shootout setback.

Leblanc provided the winning goal after Nick Heard first gave Cincinnati the shootout lead. Only Nolan LaPorte scored in the shootout for the Mallards.

The Mallards forced overtime and, as it proved, the shootout when Alex Petan buried a Justin Kovacs centering pass while on the power with just three minutes and 12 second left in regulation. The Mallards then survived a sudden death period during which Quad City goaltender Adam Vay was forced to make eight of his game total of 23 saves and the Mallards generated only one shot- but did come close to a game winning goal when Sam Warning hit the post.

The Cyclones took the lead deep into the third period after scoring a controversial go-ahead goal in the second period. Just two minutes and one second after Kovacs tied the game at one by pouncing on a rebound during a Mallard 5-on-3 at 2:27 of the second, Cincinnati’s Arvin Atwal fired the puck into the gaping Mallard net after Vay had been bumped out of position in a goalmouth tussle. The Mallards argued to no avail that Vay had been displaced by a Cyclone.

Cincinnati’s Eric Knodel produced the only goal the first period by driving the puck home from the blue line just under seven minutes into the game.

The Mallards return to action on home ice Friday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Toledo Walleye. Friday evening is Military Appreciation Night. The Mallards will wear special edition military jerseys when the meet the Walleye. After Friday the Mallards will wear those jerseys for pregame warm-ups until they are auctioned off to benefit VFW Post 1303 on March 31. The Mallards’ match-up with Toledo also brings the return of $2 Dog/$2 Beer Night presented by 97X. Fans can enjoy $2 hot dogs and beers from iWireless Center concession stands during every Friday Mallards home game.

With Quad City Mallards release

Contact the photographer: Rich.Guill@prohockeynews.com (Sean Flynn Photography)