Tung Stands Tall, But Bison Rally Falls Short in Cincinnati

IMAGE COURTESY OF ELLY MAIER

NORMAL, Ill. – A strong 29-save performance from Callum Tung proved to be not enough as the Bison fell to the Cincinnati Cyclones 2-1 at Heritage Bank Center on Wednesday evening.

The Bison started this game out dictating the tone offensively, highlighted by Brad Morrison’s early opportunity in front of the Cyclones’ net just 3 minutes into the game.

On the ensuing shift, Bison netminder Tung was challenged at the other end of the ice, denying a point-blank blast from Cincinnati at the top of the crease.

As the period continued, the momentum started to shift, and Bloomington saw their early control of pace slowly fade away and shift to the Cyclones’ offensive attack.

A costly penalty for the Bison further cemented the momentum shift, as the Cyclones capitalized on the ensuing power play to take a 1-0 advantage with still more than 10 minutes to play in period number one.

After the goal, the pace drastically slowed down, as both squads tightened up their play in the neutral zone, but the Cyclones were more affected with their limited offensive chances, as they doubled their advantage with just over 8 minutes left in the frame.

While the Bison tried to get back into this contest and nearly tied the Cyclones for shots on goal in the period, their offensive efforts remained unrewarded as both Sullivan Mack’s and Nikita Sedov’s late chances were turned away by Cincinnati, and this game went into the first intermission with the Bison still trailing 2-0.

The second period started out with the Cyclones in firm control, pushing the pace and applying the pressure on the Bison’s defensive lines.

Tung emerged as the difference maker, keeping the Bison in the game and fending off everything the Cyclone offensive was throwing on net, including saving 5 straight shots on goal early in the second.

Ayden MacDonald had the best chance to cut the deficit to one but met the same fate as the Cincinnati attackers on the other end.

Bloomington gained momentum and drew a penalty to set up a power play, only to be cut short by a Matsushima penalty.

However, the Bison captain returned back to the ice and made up for his penalty rather quickly, lighting the lamp on a tip of Ivan Chukarov’s shot with just over 7 minutes remaining in the second stanza.

Hopeful to build on the Matsushima goal, the Bison were bombarded with shots to start the final frame, surrendering 14 of the period’s first 15 shots.

While Tung continued to shine in net, the Bison started to run out of time. Even with the extra attacker on the ice with just under two minutes to go, Bloomington was not able to find the back of the net again, as the Cyclones held on for the 2-1 victory.

Up next for the Bison will be Pink in the Rink night on Friday, March 20, as the Bison return to Grossinger Motors Arena to take on the Iowa Heartlanders. Fans will receive a pink light-up wand as well as have the opportunity to bid on specialty game-worn Pink in the Rink jerseys.

For all things Bloomington Bison, stay tuned to wznd.com