Winston Day Chief scored twice and added an assist and Justin Danforth provided the only shootout goal as the Cincinnati Cyclones (18-10-1) came from behind to edge the host Quad City Mallards (8-17-3) 5-4 in a shootout Friday night. 

 

The Mallards, who earned one point for the shootout setback, built a 3-0 lead just four minutes, two seconds into the game and took a 4-3 lead in the third period only for the Cyclones to rally to even the score on both occasions.

 

The Cyclones twice knotted the contest in the third. With five minutes, 19 seconds left in regulation Alex Kile forced overtime- and, as it would prove, the shootout- by erasing the 4-3 deficit with Cincinnati's second power play goal of the night. Kile buried the equalizer from the right wing boards. The Cyclones first pulled level when Anthony Florentino's wrist shot from the right point completed Cincinnati's climb out of a three goal hole at 2:58 of the third. The Mallards would temporarily reclaim the lead when Jake Bolton fired the puck in from the left point at 6:21.

 

The Mallards had first moved in front when Brayden Low started the early onslaught one minute, 49 seconds into the first period by pouncing on the puck in the crease and pushing it just over the goal line. Tristan Grant's rising drive from the left point doubled the Mallard lead at 3:41 of the first. Just 21 seconds later Kenney Morrison scored the third Mallard goal in a span of two minutes, 13 seconds from the right point. 

 

In the wake of Morrison's goal, Jason Kasdorf replaced Cincinnati starting goaltender Jonas Johansson. Kasdorf went on to make 26 saves while setting the stage for his teammates to finish a rally that started with Day Chief's brace. The Cyclones were on the power play when Day Chief pounced on a rebound to score the first Cincinnati goal at 7:01 of the opening period. At 2:59 of the second period, Day Chief narrowed the gap to 3-2 with a wrist shot from the right wing circle. 

 

The Mallards next play at home tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. against the Fort Wayne Komets. Tomorrow evening will also see the Mallards will team with Falbo Bros Pizzeria to honor academic achievement with Report Card Night. Parents or children who present a report card with an “A” or other exemplary grade at the TaxSlayer Center box office will receive a free ticket to tomorrow night's game.

 

Tickets for tomorrow night's contest and all Mallards regular season home games are now on sale at the TaxSlayer Center box office, Ticketmaster toll free charge-by-phone (1-800-745-3000) and ticketmaster.com. The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.