CINCINNATI - Zack Andrusiak's overtime goal completed a third period comeback and gave the Cincinnati Cyclones a 4-3 win the Toledo Walleye on Saturday night at Heritage Bank Center in front of a crowd of 9,493 fans.
The crowd didn't have to wait until after the game to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks show put on by the team, there was plenty in the first period as the teams combined for four goals.
Toledo got on the board first, as Mitchell Heard's shot from the slot got past Beck Warm to give the Walleye a 1-0 lead 4:39 into the game.
Matt McLeod would answer for the Cyclones, by tipping shot from the point by Arvin Atwal to beat Toledo's John Lethemon 6:45 into the first, to tie the game at 1-1.
The Walleye would reclaim the lead in just 11 seconds on a goal by Sam Craggs. Then later in the period Brandon Hawkins' shot found the back of the net for a power play goal and a 3-1 for Toledo after one period.
After a scoreless second, Cincinnati grabbed all the momentum in the third, outshooting the Walleye 19-4.
Midway through the final period, Josh Passolt cut through the left wing side to beat Lethemon to cut the deficit to one.
Then Justin Vaive scored his 12th goal of the season on the power play. The veteran crashed the net from the left side and shoveled the puck into the net to tie the game with 1:16 remaining to send the game into overtime.
Before the end of regulation, Cole Fraser took a cross-checking penalty with 11 seconds left, giving the Cyclones a 4-on-3 power play advantage to begin overtime.
With time running out on the man advantage, Andrusiak's blast found nylon for the game winner 1:54 into the extra session.
Cincinnati (17-5-3-2 ) has won four games when trailing after two periods this season.
Beck Warm picked up his 11th win of the season, stopping 18 shots. Lethemon made 35 saves.
The Cyclones will be in action on Saturday, January 7 as they host the Wheeling Nailers on Throwback Night.
Toledo 3 0 0 0 = 3
Cincinnati 1 0 2 1 = 4
First Period TOL—Mitchell Heard—assists: Sam Craggs, Conlan Keenan, 4:39. CIN—Matt McLeod—assists: Arvin Atwal, Lincoln Griffin, 6:45. TOL—Sam Craggs—assists: Conlan Keenan, Cole Fraser, 6:56. TOL—Brandon Hawkins—assists: by Riley McCourt, Trenton Bliss, 17:13
Third Period CIN—Josh Passolt—assists: Zack Andrusiak, Matthew Cairns, 8:22. CIN—Justin Vaive—assists: Zack Andrusiak, Matt Berry, 18:44.
Overtime CIN—Zack Andrusiak—assists: Louie Caporusso, Arvin Atwal, 1:54.
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