Cyclones Creep Past Nailers in Third Period

WHEELING, WV- Tuesday's game between the Wheeling Nailers and Cincinnati Cyclones came down to the third period, as the teams played to a 3-3 deadlock during the opening 40 minutes of play. For the second game in a row, it was the Cyclones who escaped victorious, as Daniel Muzito-Bagenda scored on the power play, and Justin Vaive added an empty netter, giving Cincinnati the 5-3 road win. Wheeling got two of its three goals from the blueline, as Dan Milan and Kevin Spinozzi joined forward Cam Brown on the scoresheet.

In the first period, the Cyclones sandwiched a pair of goals around one by the Nailers. The first marker came at the 7:25 mark, when Cincinnati's Shawn O'Donnell skated into the right circle, ripping a wrist shot into the top-right corner of the net. Wheeling answered 5:06 later. Troy Josephs dropped the puck back to Dan Milan, whose wrist shot from the left point trickled through Jason Kasdorf's body and in over the goal line. Less than four minutes after that, the Cyclones regained the lead on the man advantage. Eric Knodel dished a pass to the left face-off dot, where Daniel Muzito-Bagenda threaded a shot through traffic and into the cage.

The Nailers had an electric power play in the middle frame, as they scored on both of their attempts to pull even, then take the lead. The equalizer came from Cam Brown, who jammed a loose puck up and into the top part of the net. A little more than five minutes later, Freddie Tiffels tossed a perfect pass from circle to circle, setting up Kevin Spinozzi for a one-timer from the right side. The lead was short-lived, as Alex Kile tied things up nine seconds after Spinozzi's strike.

The tied match got decided in the third period, and unfortunately, it was Cincinnati who pulled ahead on the power play. Muzito-Bagenda notched his second of the night at the 7:04 mark of the final stanza, ripping in a shot from the left circle. Wheeling had a late power play of its own to try to net the tying tally, but Justin Vaive's empty netter with less than ten seconds to go put a 5-3 final into the books for the visitors.

Jason Kasdorf picked up his second straight win for the Cyclones, turning aside 33 of the 36 shots he faced. Adam Morrison suffered the defeat for the Nailers, making 23 saves on 27 shots.

The Nailers will travel to Toledo on Friday to face the Walleye at 7:15. Then, Wheeling will return home on Saturday at 7:05 for Fan Appreciation Night against the Manchester Monarchs. Fan Appreciation Night will feature a diamond ring giveaway for one lucky fan, a team trading card set for the first 2,500 fans, a full team post game autograph session, and various prizes throughout the game. There is also a Family Four Pack for Fan Appreciation Night, in which fans can get four tickets, four hats, and four McDonald's Meal Vouchers for $56. To purchase tickets, or to get more information about season tickets, flex plans, group tickets, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.