The Cincinnati Cyclones rallied for a 4-3 shootout victory over the Wheeling Nailers Sunday at Firstar Center to clinch the fourth and final playoff spot in the ECHL's Northwest Division on the final day of the regular season.

        Their first-round opponent will be the Dayton Bombers, beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Nutter Center in Fairborn. The rest of the playoff schedule will be released today.

        The Cyclones outshot the Nailers 55-36, but Wheeling had a 3-2 lead with 6:50 left in regulation after J.P. Soucy scored. Cincinnati's Sean Molina scored on a power play with just 1:09 left in regulation to tie the score 3-3.

        After a scoreless overtime period, Cyclones goaltender Alex Westlund stopped four straight shooters while Cincinnati got goals from Curtis Huppe and Don Biggs to win the all-important extra point.

        Cincinnati qualified for the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season in the IHL and/or ECHL.

        First period: 1. C, Huppe (Bootland, Biggs) 3:23; 2. W, Robinson (PPG) Walsh, Major) 9:33.

        Second period: 3. W, Gyori (PPG) (Drummond) 5:39; 4. C, Pavlov (Huppe, Sirkka) 12:56.

        Third period: 5. W, Soucy (Moore) 13:10; 6. C, Molina (PPG) (Knopp, Biggs) 18:51.

        Overtime: None.

        Shootout: C, Huppe (GWG).

        Goalies: Cin, Alex Westlund (30-17-2 record; 33 saves, 36 shots); Whe, Tyler MacKay (16-12-1 record; 52 saves, 55 shots). Power Plays: Cin 1 for 6; Whe 2 for 3.

        Attendance: 1,217.

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