Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati at Evansville

Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati at Evansville

CINCINNATI CYCLONES (18-9-2-0)
vs.
EVANSVILLE ICEMEN (11-18-0-3)


Click here for tonight's game note packet

DATE: Saturday, December 29, 2012
TIME: 8:15pm ET
SITE: Ford Center - Evansville, IN
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)

NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Evansville IceMen: Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues

NEXT HOME GAME
Saturday, January 5 vs. Fort Wayne Komets - 7:30pm
THROWBACK NIGHT / TEDDY BEAR TOSS


TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: After picking up a convincing 5-3 win over Toledo last night, the Cyclones four game road swing continues tonight in Evansville, Indiana as they visit the IceMen for the second time this year. Although Evansville earned a 4-1 win the last time the two teams met, the Clones still lead the season series by a 3-2 count. It’s the sixth of 13 regular season meetings.

SCOUTING THE ICEMEN: Rich Kromm’s club blew a lead last night against Elmira to suffer its fifth loss in their last six games and remain 13 points back of Cincinnati coming into the night. Veterans Josh Beaulieu and Todd Robinson remain the biggest scoring threats for the IceMen - combining for 50 points this season. However, they have also combined for a dismal minus-33 plus/minus rating. Dylan Clarke is a newcomer to the Evansville roster; between his time in South Carolina and Evansville, he has earned 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) in 28 total games - ranking second on the team. Goaltender Paul Dainton has appeared in four of Evansville's last six games. After suffering another loss last night, he is now 0-3-0-1 with a 3.68 goals-against average. Paul Karpowich and Allen York have also seen time for the IceMen in net this season. Karpowich is 4-6-0-1 with a 3.44 goals-against average while York has earned a 3-1-0-1 mark and a 2.72 GAA.

Milestone Moment for Foster: With his win last night, Cyclones goaltender Brian Foster has tied Cedrick Desjardins for the club’s all-time lead in wins. The former Kelly Cup Champion earned 40 in a Cincinnati jersey. With his next appearance, Foster will play in his 68th game with the Clones, passing Desjardins for 5th most in club history.

A Strong Start: While there’s still plenty of hockey still to play, the Cyclones have gotten off to a tremendous start in 2012. Their 65.5% winning percentage is the best they’ve had at Christmas since the 2007-08 season, when that team was an astounding 20-6-2.

300 Point Club: Upon his next point, Cyclones captain Mathieu Aubin will knock down the door to the 300-point club. Now in his 7th year of professional hockey, Aubin has amassed 126 goals and 173 assists. Of his 299 points, 240 of them have come with Cincinnati.

The New Guy: Earlier today, Cincinnati received physical forward Andrew Conboy from the Trenton Titans as part of a three-team trade. Conboy was initially dealt to the Wheeling Nailers for Paul Cianfrini and then shuffled to Cincinnati to complete the earlier trade that sent defenseman Andrew Hotham to Wheeling. This season in Trenton, Conboy had amassed 101 penalty minutes. He is expected to make his Cyclones debut tonight in jersey #24.

SEASON SERIES (13 TOTAL, 8 REMAINING)
Nov. 15 Evansville 4 at Cincinnati 3 Final
Nov. 28 Evansville 1 at Cincinnati 4 Final
Nov. 30 Evansville 1 at Cincinnati 6 Final
Dec. 5 Evansville 2 at Cincinnati 3 Final SO
Dec. 8 Cincinnati 1 at Evansville 4 Final
Dec. 29 Cincinnati at Evansville 7:15 pm CST
Jan. 6 Cincinnati at Evansville 5:00 pm CST
Jan. 25 Evansville at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST
Feb. 1 Cincinnati at Evansville 7:15 pm CST
Mar. 3 Cincinnati at Evansville 7:15 pm CST
Mar. 9 Evansville at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST
Mar. 29 Evansville at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EDT
Mar. 30 Evansville at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EDT