CINCINNATI CYCLONES (19-17-5-2) vs. SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS (24-18-1-1)
DATE: Wednesday, February 2, 2011
TIME: 7:30pm
SITE: U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
RADIO: None
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (American One)
NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
South Carolina Stingrays: Washington Capitals
NEXT HOME GAME
Friday, February 4, 2011 vs. Wheeling - 7:30pm
Brian O'Hanley Kids Jersey T-Shirt Night - The first 2,000 kids ages 2-12 receive a FREE Brian O'Hanley Kids Jersey T-Shirt.
TONIGHT’S MATCHUP: After a 5-0 victory on Sunday, the Cyclones will have the chance to collect a three-game sweep of the South Carolina Stingrays tonight in the final home meeting of the six-game season series. Cincinnati is a perfect 4-0-0 against the ‘Rays at U.S. Bank Arena and have taken five of the six meetings all-time in regular season play. If they can pick up a victory tonight, it will be the second time this year that the Cyclones have swept a South Division team in a three-game series.
TONIGHT’S PROMOTION: Wet Wednesday - $1 PBR and Miller High Life.
SCOUTING THE STINGRAYS: After coming into last weekend on a three-game winning streak, the Stingrays have now dropped two in a row and remain in third place in the South Division. Despite trailing first place Greenville by six points, South Carolina averages the fourth-fewest goals against in the ECHL - allowing 2.80 goals-per-game. Rob Ricci, who had notched a point in 10 of his last 12, was held to a single assist against the Cyclones in the first two games this past weekend. Goaltender Jared DeMichiel’s goals-against average has slipped to 2.66 after a pair of defeats, however, he still ranks ninth among all ECHL back-stops in that category. Surprisingly, their team leader in penalty-minutes (Nate Kiser) has only visited the sin-bin once in the last two games against Cincinnati.
THE SOUTH CAN’T RISE AGAIN: Despite facing, collectively, the best statistical division in the Eastern Conference, the Cyclones have had their best success against South Division teams this year. With their wins over South Carolina on Friday and Sunday, Cincinnati is now 6-2-0, outscoring their opponents 28-23. What’s perhaps even more impressive is that they’ve outshot their opponents 281-200 this that span. They are just one of four teams in the ECHL to have a winning record against the “South.”
WINNERS ARE EVERYWHERE: On Sunday, Scott Reynolds became the sixth Cyclones player to register more than one game-winning goal this season. Sam D’Agostino is the leader in this department, netting three while Reynolds joins Barret Ehgoetz, Dustin Sproat, Matt Pierce, and Dylan Hunter with a pair.
SHOOTING BLANKS: On Sunday, Chet Pickard earned his second professional shutout, turning aside 28 shots. It also keeps the Cyclones streak alive of having at least two goalies earn at least one “blanking” during the regular season. This feat has now been accomplished in four consecutive years.
SEASON SERIES (6 Meetings - 4 Remaining)
Jan. 28 South Carolina 2 at Cincinnati 4 Final
Jan. 30 South Carolina 0 at Cincinnati 5 Final
Feb. 2 South Carolina at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EST
Mar. 9 Cincinnati at South Carolina 7:05 pm EST
Mar. 12 Cincinnati at South Carolina 5:00 pm EST
Mar. 13 Cincinnati at South Carolina 4:00 pm EDT
Cyclones Game Preview: Cincinnati vs. South Carolina
