CYCLONES GAME NOTES: 2016 Western Conference Quarterfinals- Game 6 vs Ft. Wayne

CYCLONES GAME NOTES: 2016 Western Conference Quarterfinals- Game 6 vs Ft. Wayne

For Immediate Release: April 25, 2016

 

Kelly Cup Playoffs

Quarterfinals, Game 6 vs. Ft. Wayne Komets

Monday, April 25, 2016 - 7:30 pm ET

War Memorial Coliseum - Ft. Wayne, IN

Cincinnati Leads Best-Of-Seven Series, 3-2

 

Overview: The Cincinnati Cyclones pushed the Ft. Wayne Komets to the brink of elimination with a 5-4 double overtime win in Game 5 on Saturday night. It was the second straight double overtime game between the two teams, and the Cyclones now lead the best-of-seven series, 3 games to 2.

Game 5 Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones earned a 5-4 double overtime victory over the Ft. Wayne Komets on Saturday night, in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. With the win, Cincinnati is now ahead, 3 games to 2, in their best-of-seven series. Defenseman Andrew Blazek tallied a pair of goals while defenseman Steve Weinstein and forward Branden Gracel added lone tallies in regulation, and defenseman Jonathan Diaby netted the game winner in double overtime for the Cyclones.

Game 4 Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones fell to the Ft. Wayne Komets, 3-2 in double overtime, on Friday night. Forwards Jack Downing and Christiaan Minella scored the goals for Cincinnati, who are now tied in their best-of-seven Western Conference Quarterfinal series with Ft. Wayne, 2-2. The Cyclones were outshot, 56-31 on the night, with goaltender Brad Thiessen stopping 53 in the loss.

Game 3 Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones fell to the Ft. Wayne Komets, 8-0 on Wednesday night, in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Despite the loss, the Cyclones still lead the best-of-seven series, 2 games to 1. The Komets outshot Cincinnati, 29-21 on the night, with goaltenders Brad Thiessen and Brandon Whitney combining to stop 21.

 

News and Notes

Seeing Double: The Cyclones and Komets have played in two-straight double overtime games, with each team winning one, combining to play 184:57 of game time in roughly 28 hours. It marked the first time in Cyclones history that Cincinnati has played in back-to-back double overtime games.

‘O’ from the ‘D’: Defensemen Andrew Blazek, Jonathan Diaby, and Steve Weinstein each scored in Saturday’s 5-4 double overtime win over the Komets, bringing Cincinnati’s defensemen contributions to three goals and four assists through the first five games of the series. The Cyclones’ defensive corps accounted for 30 goals and 113 assists in the regular season, with Garrett Noonan leading the way with 43 points (9g, 34a).

Fighting the Rubber: Cyclones netminder Brad Thiessen has been busy through the first five games of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, stopping 31 or more shots in four of those contests. He had a career playoff-high 53 saves in Friday night’s 3-2 double overtime loss to the Komets, and has made 167 saves on 182 shots for a .918 save percentage in his five starts.

Impact Player: Christiaan Minella tallied his second goal of the postseason in Friday night’s 3-2 double overtime loss to the Komets and added an assist in Saturday’s 5-4 double overtime win, and he is now tied for the team scoring lead with four points (2g, 2a). He lit the lamp with 32.2 seconds left in regulation to send Cincinnati to a 3-2, Game 2 victory over the Ft. Wayne Komets, marking his second-career postseason game-winning goal. Minella is coming off a career-high 14-goal regular season, and he also tied his career high in points with 22.

Career Years: A number of Cyclones reached personal bests in terms of offensive production this season. Forwards Jack Downing, Zach Budish, and Tommy Mele saw career highs in all three major statistical categories, with Downing recording 32 goals and 32 assists for 64 points, while Budish recorded a stat line of 24 goals and 34 assists for 58 points. Mele was a midseason addition to the Cyclones, coming to Cincinnati in mid-January in a trade with the Norfolk Admirals. In 74 games between the Admirals and Cyclones, Mele was responsible for 27 goals and 25 assists for 52 points. Also reaching a new personal best was forward Christiaan Minella, who potted a career-high 14 goals, and tied his career-high with 22 points.

The Kids Are Alright: The Cyclones’ rookie corps were a very important part to Cincinnati’s success this season. Overall, Cyclones rookies accounted for 55 goals and 102 assists for 157 points. Forward Nick Huard led the way, ranking sixth in League rookie scoring with 52 points (21g, 31a), followed by forwards Peter Quenneville (11g, 15a), and Joe Wilson (11g, 14a) who round out the top three rookie scorers on the team.

Down the Stretch they Come: The Cyclones were lights out this season when entering the third period with a lead, posting a record of 30-1-0-1 when leading after 40 minutes of play. The Cyclones also enjoyed their highest offensive production in the third period, outscoring teams 82-68 in the final frame, including 52-38 in the last 10 minutes of regulation. 

Playoff History: This is the eighth time Cincinnati has made the postseason since returning to the ECHL prior to the 2006-2007 season, and the second time the Cyclones and Komets will meet in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. The two sides clashed in the 2014 Eastern Conference Semifinals, with Cincinnati taking the best-of-seven series, 4 games to 2. The Cyclones went on to lose in the Kelly Cup Finals to the Alaska Aces that season, 4 games to 2. Cincinnati won the Kelly Cup in 2008 and again in 2010.

 

Season Series Recap:

Overall: The 2015-16 regular season series between the Cyclones and Komets was about as close as it could have been, as both teams won five games of the 10-game series. The Cyclones had the advantage in the first five games of the season, posting a 3-1-1-0 record while outscoring Ft. Wayne, 16-10. The Komets managed to even up the series in the second half of the season, posting wins in three of the final five meetings, and holding a 23-17 edge in goals scored.

In Cincinnati: Seven of the 10 meetings, including four of the final five, took place at U.S. Bank Arena with Cincinnati coming away with victories in three of those contests (3-3-1-0). The Komets held a slight offensive advantage over the Cyclones, outscoring Cincinnati 27-22.

In Ft. Wayne: Even though there were only three games played in Ft. Wayne this season, the Cyclones had a decided advantage over the Komets. Cincinnati picked up wins in two of the three contests while outscoring Ft. Wayne, 11-6, including a combined 10-2 in the first two meetings back on October 31 and November 26.

 

The 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs are upon us! YOUR Cyclones are on the march towards another Kelly Cup Championship, and want you along for the ride! Be sure to get your single game tickets, or check out one of our 2016 Kelly Cup Playoff Ticket Packages, available NOW! Call 513.421.PUCK to reserve your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), Instagram, and our website, www.cycloneshockey.com