For Immediate Release: December 3, 2016
Game 20 (Home Game 11)
Vs. Missouri Mavericks (8-9-1-1, 18pts)
Saturday, December 3, 2016 - 7:35pm ET
U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
Overview: The Cyclones return home to start a six-game homestand on Saturday when they welcome in the Missouri Mavericks to U.S. Bank Arena for the first time ever. Cincinnatiis coming off of a 5-1 win over the Indy Fuel on Friday night, in a game that snapped their six-game winless skid.
Last Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (8-9-2-0) collected a 5-1 win over the Indy Fuel on Friday night. Forwards Dominic Zombo, Seth Ambroz, Colin Mulvey, Peter LeBlanc, and Tommy Mele netted the goals for Cincinnati, who see their six-game winless skid come to an end. Goaltender Michael Houser was stellar in goal, turning aside 25 of the 26 shots he faced to collect the win.
Sunday Afternoon Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (7-9-2-0) fell to the Reading Royals, 5-2, on Sunday afternoon. Defenseman Eric Knodel and forward Andrew Yogan netted the goals for the Cyclones. Goaltender Joel Rumpel turned aside 24 in his first start of the season.
Saturday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (7-8-2-0) fell to the Reading Royals, 4-2 on Saturday night. Forwards Peter LeBlanc and Andrew Yogan scored the goals for the Cyclones, while goaltender Michael Houser stopped 36 in the loss.
Previewing Missouri: The Mavericks ride into Cincinnati winners of three of their last four, and six of their last eight games played. They are coming off of a 6-5 overtime loss to the Ft. Wayne Komets on Friday night, in a game that saw Missouri outshoot the Komets, 47-16. Missouri comes into Saturday’s contest with the ECHL’s fifth best penalty kill at 88.2% (60/68) overall, and 90.2 percent on the road (46/51). They are led by forward Dane Fox who has accounted for 15 points (6g, 9a) through 18 games played, followed by forward Rocco Carzo who is tied for the team lead with seven goals and tied for third with seven assists. In goal, Josh Robinson leads all active Maverick netminders with a 4-3-0-1 record, along with a 3.07 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage.
Inside the Series: This is first of four meetings this season between Cincinnati and Missouri, and just the third meeting all-time between the two. Missouri took the two meetings last season on their home ice in mid-December, and these two teams will square off again in late-January in Missouri when they play three times over a four day period (1/25-1/28).
Next Game Preview: Cincinnati’s six-game homestand continues on Wednesday night when they welcome in the Ft. Wayne Komets to U.S. Bank Arena. This will be the second of eight games between the two sides, with the Cyclones taking a 4-3 decision in the first meeting on November 2.
News and Notes:
Good First Impression: Recently-acquired forward Shane Walsh dished out a pair of assists in Friday’s 5-1 win over the Indy Fuel; his first game as a Cyclone. Walsh now has 12 points on the season (5g, 7a), and leads all ECHL rookies with 69 shots on goal.
Spread it Around: Ten different players recorded a point and five different Cyclones lit the lamp in Friday’s 5-1 win in Indy over the Fuel. Leading the way was newly-acquired forward Shane Walsh who dished out a pair of assists. Forward Dominic Zombo netted his fifth goal of the season, while Tommy Mele potted his third. Forwards Peter LeBlanc and Colin Mulvey each lit the lamp for the second time, and Seth Ambroz tallied his first of the season.
Cyclones Acquire Pair from Utah: The Cincinnati Cyclones have acquired forward Brandon McNally and Shane Walsh from the Utah Grizzlies in exchange for forward Kenny Ryan. McNally has appeared in 15 games with the Grizzlies this season, accounting for three goals and five assists along with 48 minutes in penalties. He has also skated in a pair of games with the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League (AHL). McNally has spent the bulk of his career in the AHL accounting for 16 points (9g, 7a) to go along with 41 minutes in penalties in 61 games between the Gulls, Hamilton Bulldogs, and St. John’s Icecaps. McNally has 22 ECHL games to his credit, totaling nine points (3g, 6a) and 76 penalty minutes between the Grizzlies and Brampton Beast. Prior to turning pro in 2015, McNally was a four-year letter-winner at Dartmouth College where he racked up 31 goals and 34 assists in 105 career games.
Walsh is in his first pro season and has accounted for 10 points (5g, 5a) in 17 games with the Grizzlies, tying him for second on the team in points. The West Roxbury, MA, product also attended Rookie Camp with the Nashville Predators, National Hockey League (NHL) affiliate of the Cyclones this past summer. Prior to turning pro, Walsh spent four seasons at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) where he registered 36 goals and 31 assists in 133 career games. He was a part of history in the 2015 Hockey East Tournament, scoring the game-winning goal against the University of Notre Dame 151:42 into the game in the fifth overtime. The stick he used is now in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Scoring Machine: Forward Andrew Yogan has been on fire offensively as of late. He is currently riding a four-game point streak where he has totaled a pair of goals and three assists in that time. Yogan has points in seven of his last eight games played (6g, 6a), and has failed to reach the scoresheet in just four of his 16 games played this season.
Cyclones Extend Partnership with CPD: The Cincinnati Cyclones have announced they are partnering with the Cincinnati Police Department for the Cyclones’ annual Teddy Bear Toss, which will take place during the team’s December 3rd contest against the Missouri Mavericks. This is the sixth season that the CPD has partnered with the Cyclones for this event, which encourages fans to bring a new or gently loved stuffed animal to the game to throw onto the ice following the Cyclones’ first goal of the evening. The tossed stuffed animals will then be donated to the Police Department who will use them to bring comfort to young victims of crime, accidents, and fires in Cincinnati. This year’s Teddy Bear Toss will, once again, coincide with Throwback Night which will feature $10 tickets, $1 John Morrell Hot Dogs, Donatos Pizza, soda and beer. Over the last three seasons, Cyclones fans have donated close to 12,000 stuffed animals to children in need in Cincinnati.
All Aboard: The Cincinnati Cyclones have announced this year’s PBR Party Express Bus Trip. The annual fan excursion will take place from Thursday, January 12 through Sunday, January 15 and will feature a Nashville Predators game and a Cincinnati Cyclones game. The first stop on the trip will be in Nashville, TN, to watch Cincinnati’s National Hockey League (NHL) affiliate Nashville Predators take on the Boston Bruins on Thursday night. From there, the PBR Party Express will head to Atlanta, GA, for a Saturday evening affair between the Cyclones and Atlanta Gladiators. Pricing for this once in a lifetime event includes passage on the PBR Party Express, tickets to both games, and single or double occupancy hotel accommodations. There is a limit of 48 total occupants, and packages will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, you can call Dan Cheraso at (513) 421-0597 or email him at dcheraso@usbankarena.com. PBR Party Express Pricing: Single Occupancy: $310.00; Double Occupancy: $600.00.
Stay Connected!: Follow the latest news on Twitter (@CincyCyclones), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and more! Also, for all of the latest news and notes, head over to www.cycloneshockey.com.
The 2016-17 season is underway, and the Cincinnati Cyclones want you along for the ride as they march towards another Kelly Cup Championship! 2016-17 single game tickets and packages along with group and Season Ticket Packages are available NOW! Call (513) 421-PUCK to reserve your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
