ECHL Game Recap: Fort Wayne Komets vs Cincinnati Cyclones l 12/04/2024

The Cincinnati Cyclones went into Wednesday night against the Fort Wayne Komets at a record of 2-10-3, in need of starting a long winning streak. They last took the ice against the Wheeling Nailers on Saturday night, losing 7-1 in Wheeling, West Virginia, after losing 5-1 the day before at home vs them. This was the only time the Komets would be in Cincinnati this season, with seven out of their eight games in Fort Wayne during the regular season series. The Komets took the first two games of the season series, with a thrilling 5-4 OT win and a 6-1 win. Connor Ungar took his place in goal for the Komets, while Pavel Cajan defended the net for the home team on Pucks n’ Pups night at the arena.

First Period:

Not even a minute into the game, the Komets were on the board, with a wrist-shot goal scored by Jack Dugan, his second of the season.

The Cyclones did not back down early and continued pushing in the o-zone, finally evening the game as Ty Voit tapped a puck past Ungar during a scrum in front of the goalie, scoring his second of the season.

Cincinnati continued holding possession in the o-zone the rest of the period, firing a barrage of shots at Connor Ungar. With 5:45 left in the period, Alex Aleardi of the Komets was caught hooking, sending the weak Cyclones unit to the power play. 30 seconds into the power play, Lincoln Griffin was called for holding, negating the power play and sending it to four-on-four play. The period later ended at an even 1-1.

Second Period:

Connor Ungar remained solid through the first half of the second period, making save after save while the Cyclones pushed into the O-zone. The Komets later broke out on a three on two firing a shot that snuck through Cajan, but defenseman Jacob Bengtsson made a stellar save clearing the puck at the goal line. After this, though, the Komets regained the lead, as Ethan Keppen one-timed the puck past Cajan, scoring his fifth goal of the season.

With 6:36 left in the period, Marko Sikic was hooked by Alex Aleardi, who was given his second hooking penalty of the game, but Fort Wayne later killed it off. Nick Isaacson later sent the Komets to the power play, after tripping a Komet in the d-zone, which Cincinnati also killed off. The second later period at a score of 2-1, in favor of Fort Wayne.

Third Period:

Just over three minutes into the third period, Alex Aleardi took his third penalty of the game, this time for high-sticking, but Cincinnati remained ice-cold on the power play yet again. With nine minutes to go in regulation, Justin Vaive tipped a shot that somehow hit both posts, keeping Fort Wayne in the lead down the stretch.

With 90 seconds left in regulation, the Cyclones pulled Cajan for the extra attacker, narrowly evening the game multiple times, but later fell short 2-1 to the Komets. Their record now falls to 2-11-3, staying as the ECHL’s worst, and on pace for the worst record in Cyclones’ history. Fort Wayne now improves to 11-5-1, moving to second place in the Central Division.

Once again, Cincinnati fell short to the Komets, now losing another nail-biter for the third time of the season. Connor Ungar was easily the best player on the ice tonight, stopping 22/23 shots, and making multiple key saves down the stretch, keeping Fort Wayne in the lead. The Cyclones narrowly evened the game down the stretch twice, but they had no puck luck yet again, which seems to be the story of this dismal season. The Cyclones will face Fort Wayne again on the road Friday and will then be back at home for Marvel Superhero night on Saturday at 4:00 PM EST.