Cyclones top Oilers, clinch playoff berth

TULSA, Ok. — Zack Andrusiak's second period goal proved to be the game-winner, as Cincinnati defeated the Tulsa Oilers 4-1 on Saturday night and clinched a spot in the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the Cyclones.

The Cyclones became the third team in the ECHL to secure a playoff spot and currently sit one point back of first place in the Central Division.

Justin Vaive got the Cyclones on the board first with his 28th goal of the season. Vaive's goal came on the power play as his tip-in eluded Tulsa's Dan Mannella 4:48 into the first period for the 1-0 lead.

Tulsa would answer later in the period with a power play goal of their own, as Blake McLaughlin capitalized on the puck ricocheting off the end-boards to slide it past Mark Sinclair at the 12:35 mark.

Cincinnati's special teams would give them the lead just over a minute later with Andrusiak's 25th goal of the season. Andrusiak, who returned to the lineup after being called up to the AHL for two games, rifled a shot from the right-circle dot to give Cincinnati a 2-1 advantage heading into the first intermission.

Adam Berg would give the Cylcones a two-goal lead in the second period with his first professional goal. Berg's goal came off a feed from Steven MacLean as Berg managed slide down the middle of the ice and send the puck over Mannella's left shoulder from point-blank range.

Luke Burzan added an empty-net goal with 1:28 remaining in the third period to cap off the win.

Sinclair turned aside 33 shots and successfully defended seven of eight Tulsa power plays to earn his sixth straight victory.

Cincinnati returns home for a three-game homestand beginning on Friday against the Iowa Heartlanders.