Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati at Fort Wayne

Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati at Fort Wayne

CINCINNATI CYCLONES (22-12-2-1)
vs.
FORT WAYNE KOMETS (20-17-1-1)


Click here for tonight's game note packet

DATE: Sunday, January 13, 2013
TIME: 5:00pm ET
SITE: Memorial Coliseum - Fort Wayne, IN
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)
RADIO: FM 100 The FAN (100.3 FM)

NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Fort Wayne Komets: Anaheim Ducks

NEXT HOME GAME
Tuesday, January 15 vs. Elmira Jackals - 7:30pm
BIG BEER TUESDAY / NEON NIGHT


TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: After rallying to earn a 5-2 win over the Komets last night, the Cyclones hope to pad their lead in the North Division standings again today as they close out a three-game weekend with Fort Wayne. Last night’s contest was the best offensive output Cincinnati has had against their Indiana foes this season; they’ve outscored the Komets by a combined total of 18-12 in the season series. After tonight, the two teams will only meet three more times before the end of the regular year.

SCOUTING THE KOMETS: Al Simms’ slipped five points back of the Cyclones after last night’s defeat and have played an additional two games. They have been hit hard with the call-up bug of late, as some of their best players have been promoted to the AHL. Brandon Marino, who was held scoreless last night, is still tied for the active ECHL lead in points - posting 44 points (12 goals, 32 assists) in 39 games. Brett Smith, after another goal last night, ranks second on the Komets with 28 points (8 goals, 20 assists). With Ken Reiter back on the reserve list, Fort Wayne has relied on Marco Cousineau and Charlie Effinger between the pipes. Effinger, the Miami University alum, lost last night’s game to Cincinnati and has a 7-8-1-0 with a 3.65 goals-against average. Cousineau is 3-3 this year with a 3.17 GAA.

About Last Night in Fort Wayne: The Cyclones exploded for four unanswered goals in the third period as they rallied to defeat the Komets by a 5-2 final score in front of 7,606 at Memorial Coliseum. John McFarland potted a pair of goals in the third period to help spark the CIncinnati comeback.

Saving the Best for Last: Cincinnati has been a late-game offensive team all season long. Their 45 goals scored in the final stanza is their best of any period. Defensively they’ve been strong as well - allowing the third fewest third period goals of any ECHL team. Not surprisingly, they are 13-0-0 when holding a lead through 40 minutes.

On the Verge of History: With his next win, Cyclones goaltender Brian Foster will pass Cedrick Desjardins for the club’s all-time lead in wins. The former Kelly Cup Champion, Desjardins, earned 40 victories in a Cincinnati jersey. He has just two appearances short of being the club’s all-time games-played leader as well - sitting at 69.

SEASON SERIES (9 TOTAL, 4 REMAINING)
Dec. 19 Cincinnati 4 at Fort Wayne 1 Final
Jan. 4 Cincinnati 4 at Fort Wayne 2 Final
Jan. 5 Fort Wayne 5 at Cincinnati 4 Final
Jan. 11 Fort Wayne 2 at Cincinnati 1 Final SO
Jan. 12 Cincinnati 5 at Fort Wayne 2 Final
Jan. 13 Cincinnati at Fort Wayne 5:00 pm EST
Feb. 2 Cincinnati at Fort Wayne 7:30 pm EST
Feb. 12 Fort Wayne at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST
Feb. 22 Cincinnati at Fort Wayne 8:00 pm EST