CINCINNATI – Mikey Milne scored two goals and had an assist to propel the Bloomington Bison to a 4-3 shootout win over the Cincinnati Cyclones on Saturday at the Heritage Bank Center.
Bloomington took little time before being sent to the penalty box, with the officials blowing their whistles just 29 seconds after the initial puck drop. After losing the ensuing faceoff, the Bison allowed a powerplay goal against just five seconds into the penalty kill. Despite falling down 1-0 just 34 seconds into the game, Bloomington fired eight of the next nine shots on goal, and would end the period 1-for-2 on the penalty kill and up 12-5 in the shot column.
Two and a half minutes after allowing a second goal, the Bison lit the lamp to bring up a 2-1 score at 8:49. Milne skated in tight to the Cyclones netminder and pushed the puck past with one hand on his stick from Chongmin Lee and Vladislav Kamenev. Just over four minutes later, Milne added another goal to tie the game 2-2 from Dylan Finlay and Deni Goure. Bloomington took a 3-2 lead on the final shot of the period when Finlay blasted in a slapshot from Milne and Goure with eight seconds remaining.
The Bison fought off an onslaught from the home team during the final stanza, and allowed the game-tying goal less than three minutes in. Bloomington was outshot 10-4 in the third period and killed off a penalty with three minutes left in regulation to bring up overtime. The visitors controlled puck possession for nearly all seven minutes of the extra time and Chongmin Lee scored in the second round of the shootout to secure victory. Isaac Poulter stopped 21 shots through 67 minutes and all three shots against in the shootout.
Bloomington increased its best start to a season in team history with the win, and improved to 3-0 on the season to keep first place in the Central Division.
The Bloomington Bison return home on Friday, October 30 for another 309 Night featuring $3 Busch Lights and sodas, $0 popcorn and $9 T-Shirts. The Bison will also be hosting a Trunk-or-Treat from 4-6 p.m. at the Major Butler Lot on the north side of the arena.
Tickets to Friday's game and all Bloomington Bison home games can be purchased at bloomingtonbisonhockey.com or call (309) 965-HERD for more information on ticket memberships and group hospitality opportunities.
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