CINCINNATI, Ohio – With eight players out of the lineup due to various injuries, the Evansville IceMen hung with the Cincinnati Cyclones for 53 minutes, but ultimately fell at US Bank Arena 5-2. It was Cincinnati’s tenth consecutive win over Evansville at home, dating back to November 26, 2014. The IceMen dressed just 16 players, with eight regulars out with various injuries.
The Cyclones jumped out to a 1-0 lead 8:06 into the first period, when Joe Pendenza intercepted an Evansville clearing attempt in front of the net and buried the quick shot past IceMen goalie Christoffer Bengtsberg. Then, in his first game back with the IceMen,Ryan Penny tied the game on a centering pass that ricocheted off of a Cincinnati skate and past goaltender Andy Iles with 4:21 left in the frame.
Cincinnati regained the lead with three seconds left in its third power play, when Garrett Noonan fired a one-timer from high in the slot under Bengtsberg’s blocker. 17 seconds later, Brandon Gracel shoveled a rebound into the net to make it 3-1, after Bengtsberg kicked out the initial shot from Colin Mulvey.
Late in the middle period, Alec Hagaman scored his first career ECHL goal, when Penny set him up from the corner with a centering pass to the slot. The goal made it 3-2 with 1:21 to play in the second. Cincinnati outshot Evansville 10-7 in the period.
Tommy Mele provided an insurance goal with 6:32 to play, when he scooped up his own rebound and lifted a shot over Bengtsberg on a 2-on-1. Noonan added an empty-net goal to complete the Cyclones’ 5-2 win. Bengtsberg stopped 20 shots in his first regulation loss in February, while Iles stopped 16 in his third straight win over the IceMen.
The IceMen return home for two games against the Atlanta Gladiators Friday and Saturday at 7:15pm both nights. It is Pink the Rink Weekend at the Ford Center, and the IceMen will wear special jerseys that will be auctioned off after Saturday’s game, with proceeds donated to Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research.
With Evansville IceMen release
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