Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati vs. Fort Wayne

Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati vs. Fort Wayne

CYCLONES GAME PREVIEW

Cincinnati Cyclones (28-28-1-7)
vs.
Fort Wayne Komets (43-16-2-4)


Click here for tonight's game note packet

DATE: Saturday, March 28, 2015
TIME: 7:30pm ET
SITE: U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
BROADCAST: Cyclones Radio Network, ECHL.TV

NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Fort Wayne Komets: Colorado Avalanche

NEXT HOME GAME (After Tonight)
TUESDAY, MARCH 31 - 7:30pm vs. TOLEDO WALLEYE
BIG BEER TUESDAY / COUNTRY NIGHT

Tonight's Matchup: After a big 4-2 win last night over Evansville, the Cyclones will welcome in the Fort Wayne Komets for what could be a preview of a first-round playoff match-up. The Clones have earned points in three of the four meetings with their Hoosier State foes this year, going 1-1-0-2.

Tonight's Promotion: Pucks & Pups Night - Fans can bring their four-legged friend to the game for just $2 in addition to a normal game ticket. Plus, enjoy $1 John Morrell Hot Dogs and our annual Wiener Dog Races at intermission!

Scouting the Komets: Gary Graham’s club has won six of their last 10 games after last night’s defeat against Wheeling and now sits 2nd in the North Division. Shawn Szydlowski has surged to the top of the Komets scoring leaderboard with 66 points (33g, 33a) in 50 games this season. Former Cyclone Mike Embach has been another dangerous weapon, posting 63 tallies (22g, 41a) in 62 contests. Pat Nagle and Roman Will have been the goalies of record during the last seven games. Overall this year, Nagle has gone 22-6-1-1 with a 2.35 goals-against average while Will has contributed with a 13-7-1-3 mark and a 2.55 GAA. Mark Guggenberger, who faced the Cyclones the last time out, is 7-13-1-1 this year with a 3.33 GAA.

Last Time Out: Forward Jack Combs made an impressive debut as his hat trick helped lift the Cyclones to a 4-2 victory over the IceMen in front of 2,924 at U.S. Bank Arena. Combs became the second Cyclone this season to register a three-goal game. David Pacan also enjoyed his second three-point game (1g, 2a).

Impact Player: Cyclones rookie forward Joe Basaraba continues to pace the club with game-winning goals (5). In fact, his numbers in this category rank tied for second among all ECHL first-year players. Cincinnati is 11-2-0-2 when he finds the scoresheet in some capacity.

One is Good, Two is Better: When the Cyclones can set the tempo early, they’ve been extremely tough to beat. They are 21-9-1-1 when striking the game’s first goal and a perfect 19-0 when scoring the first two goals.

Season Series at a Glance (7 games - 4 home, 3 away - 3 remaining):
Cincinnati's 2014-15 Record vs. Fort Wayne: 1-1-0-2

Nov 15 Fort Wayne 5 at Cincinnati 4 Final SO
Dec 5 Fort Wayne 3 at Cincinnati 2 Final SO
Mar 14 Fort Wayne 1 at Cincinnati 3 Final
Mar 15 Cincinnati 2 at Fort Wayne 3 Final
Mar 28 Fort Wayne at Cincinnati 7:30pm EDT
Apr 8 Cincinnati at Fort Wayne 7:30pm EDT
Apr 11 Cincinnati at Fort Wayne 7:30pm EDT