HOUSTON - The Cyclones are coming back to Cincinnati in first place in the Northeast Division and Eastern Conference.
Cincinnati beat Houston 3-1 on Saturday night to finish a six-game, nine-day road trip 4-2-0 . The Cyclones are 16-11-2 overall.
"This was a terrific effort by our guys," said Cyclones coach Ron Smith, who got career win No. 150. "We were missing several players between injuries and call-ups and finishing off a long road trip. We're looking forward to getting back to the Crown."
The victory ended the Aeros' 14-game unbeaten streak (12-0-2) at the Compaq Center; they hadn't been defeated at home since March 15 of last season. Houston, which still has the IHL's best record at 19-4-4, lost in regulation time for the first time since Nov. 27.
The Cyclones special teams units led the team. The power play squad scored on two of five opportunities, and the penalty killers wiped out all five Houston's advantages.
The Cyclones jumped to a 1-0 lead at 16:36 of the first period, when defenseman Geoff Smith scored on a power play.
The lead extended to 2-0 early in the second period when left wing Gilbert Dionne scored his 12th goal of the season.
Cincinnati goaltender Frederic Cassivi won for the fifth time in his last seven decisions (5-1-1) by stopping 33 shots.
Cyclones 1 1 1 - 3
Houston 0 1 0 - 1
First period - 1.) CIN - Geoff Smith (2) (Eric Dandenault, Jeff Shevalier), PP, 16:36.
Second period - 2.) CIN - Gilbert Dionne (12) (Todd Simon, Jeff Wells), PP, 2:59.3.) HOU - Jeff Christian (12) (Greg Hawgood), 10:23.
Third period - 4.) CIN - Rastislav Pavlikovsky (4) (Scott Morrow, Jeff Shevalier), 5:56.
Shots on goal: Cyclones 33 (13-10-10), Houston 34 (10-12-12). Power plays: Cyclones 2-5, Houston 0-5. Goalie saves: Frederic Cassivi (CIN) (33 saves), Chad Alban (HOU) (30 saves). Penalty minutes: Cincinnati 12, Houston 12.
