Cincinnati, Ohio – The Evansville IceMen gave the first-place Cincinnati Cyclones all they could handle, and more on Thursday night at the U.S. Bank Arena in downtown Cincinnati.
IceMen Right Winger Dan Gendur scored the dramatic game-winning goal with 1:11 remaining in regulation to boost Evansville over Cincinnati. Gendur’s second tally of the season came on an IceMen power play that went 2-for-5 for the game. Assisting on the triumphant score was Defenseman Jake Obermeyer, who finished the game with two assists. Gendur’s game-winning tally earned him first star of the game honors.
Opening up the scoring for the fourth straight contest was Evansville when Defenseman Matt Gens found twine for the second time this season. The goal came on the power play early, 1:34 into the first period. Helpers on the Gens goal were from Left Winger Josh Beaulieu and Center Todd Robinson.
Cincinnati would equalize Evansville three times in the game. The Cyclones’ first goal tied the matchup 6:04 into the opening frame when Forward Josh Shalla netted one of his two goals on the night. Assisting on Shalla’s initial goal was Cincinnati Forward Garrett Wilson and Defenseman Chris Reed.
Answering for the IceMen was Center Dale Mahovsky less than two minutes later, scoring his third strike of the season 7:54 into the first period. Credited with his first assist on the night was Obermeyer and Forward Nathan Moon, who now has eight points in just seven games for Evansville.
The IceMen would be penalized with :53 left in the first period when Defenseman Aaron Gens was tagged for an interference minor. Evansville’s penalty kill held the rest of the period and continued its effort early in the second period to return to full strength.
The second period was uneventful until Shalla struck for his second goal of the game 9:48 into the middle stanza. Assists coming from Cincinnati Defenseman Taylor Aronson and Cam Reid, the Cyclones evened things with the IceMen for the second time.
IceMen Right Winger Patrick Kennedy responded with his third marker of the season, putting Evansville back on top, 3-2. The goal came at the 15:36 point of the second period as Kennedy prevailed in the crease. The initial shot came from IceMen Defenseman Daniel Tetrault and the second assist was credited to Center Jason Dale.
Concluding the second period similar to the first, a late penalty was called. This time on the Cyclones’ Shalla for slashing after the horn had sounded. Evansville began the third period on the power play, but did not take advantage as Cincinnati killed off one of its five short-handed situations.
Evening things up once again was Cincinnati Defenseman Andrew Hotham from Right Winger Jonathan Hazen and Forward David Pacan. The Cyclones’ third and final goal of the game came 7:53 into the third period.
Committing a late penalty for the Cyclones was Hotham, who was guilty of tripping. The infraction was committed with 2:31 remaining in regulation. The IceMen took full advantage, scoring the tie-breaker just over a minute later.
IceMen Goaltender Rob Madore earned his third victory of the season. He faced 37 Cincinnati shots, yielding 34 of them on his way to a .919 save percentage.
The losing goaltender was Cincinnati’s Zoltan Hetenyi, who shielded 24-of-28 Evansville shots. He finished the game with a .857 save percentage.
Showing out once again was the IceMen penalty killing unit, denying all five of the Cyclones’ power play opportunities. Evansville has now killed off 18 straight penalties and have not allowed a goal in three consecutive contests.
The IceMen improve to 14(4-9-1) on the season and now have nine points. Evansville’s victory on Thursday night gives Cincinnati its first home loss of the 2012-13 campaign.
Evansville travels to rivaled Fort Wayne on Saturday, Nov.17 to take on the second place Komets. The game will begin at 8:30 p.m. EST and can be heard on the new ‘Magic 98.5’ FM WEOA.
