For Immediate Release: January 14, 2017
Game 35 (Road Game 16)
Vs. Atlanta Gladiators (14-17-4-1, 33pts)
Saturday, January 14, 2017 - 7:05pm ET
Infinite Energy Arena - Duluth, GA
Overview: The Cyclones extended their winning streak to five games with a 3-2 win over the Quad City Mallards on Wednesday night. The Cyclones now embark on a season-long eight-game road trip beginning on Saturday night in Atlanta, in just their second of five divisional games this season.
Wednesday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (17-13-4-0) earned a 3-2 win over the Quad City Mallards on Wednesday night. Forwards Nick Huard and Seth Ambroz along with defenseman Craig Dalrymple scored the goals for the Cyclones, who see their winning streak pushed to five games. The Cyclones outshot Quad City, 31-20 on the night, with goaltenders Michael Houser and Mark Visentin combining to stop 18 in the win.
Sunday Night Recap: Sunday Afternoon Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (16-13-4-0) picked up a 3-2 overtime win over the Wheeling Nailers on Sunday afternoon. Forward Jaynen Rissling tallied a pair of goals including the overtime winner, while forward Shane Walsh added a lone marker for the Cyclones. Cincinnati was outshot by the Nailers, 31-19 on the night, with Cyclones goaltender Mark Visentin stopping 29 to collect the win.
Friday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (15-13-4-0) shutout the Quad City Mallards, 4-0, on Friday night. Forward Brandon McNally led the way with a pair of goals and an assist, along with a fight to cap off the “Gordie Howe Hat-Trick”, while forward Shane Walsh added a goal and a pair of helpers, and forward Nick Huard chipped in a lone goal for the Cyclones. Goaltender Mark Visentin had a stellar night as well, stopping all 25 shots he faced to earn his first shutout of the season.
Previewing Atlanta: The Gladiators enter Saturday night five points back of the Cyclones for fifth in the ECHL’s South Division and are coming off of a 6-3 loss to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Wednesday night. Atlanta boasts two of the League’s top 11 scorers in forwards Justin Buzzeo and Brock Higgs who each have accounted for 11 goals and 29 assists on the season. There is also a youth movement of sorts in Atlanta, as forwards Trevor Mingoia (13g, 11a) and Josh Atkinson (3g, 19a) rank tenth and 15th in League rookie scoring, respectively.
Inside the Series: Saturday’s game will be the second and final meeting this season between Cincinnati and Atlanta, and just the second of five total games against the South Division for Cincinnati this year. The Cyclones dropped the first meeting, 6-5 in overtime back on November 18, and owns a 9-7-0-0 edge in the all-time series.
Next Game Preview: The Cyclones head to Greenville to take on the Swamp Rabbits on Sunday afternoon. The Cyclones split last year’s two-game series in Greenville, and the teams will meet one more time in Greenville during the last weekend of the season.
News and Notes:
Loaded Pistol: Forward Peter LeBlanc is currently riding a seven-game point streak, accounting for a pair of goals and seven assists in that time, along with plus-6 on-ice rating. LeBlanc’s offense has been on display since late November, as he has recorded points in 13 of his last 18 games (8g, 9a).
He’s on FIRE!: Forward Shane Walsh has recorded four goals and six assists over his last eight games, including multi-point efforts in three of his last four contests. He now has five goals and 10 assists in 16 games with Cincinnati since being traded from the Utah Grizzlies in late November.
He Can Do It All: Defenseman Jaynen Rissling was moved up to forward for Cincinnati’s last four games and has made an immediate impact, accounting for two goals and three assists in that time. He dished out a pair of assists in last Wednesday’s 4-3 win in Wichita over the Thunder, before turning out a two-goal performance in Sunday’s 3-2 overtime win over the Wheeling Nailers, including the game-winner. He also added an assist in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the Quad City Mallards, and is enjoying career highs in goals (4), assists (8), and points (12).
Stingy Defense: Cincinnati currently ranks third in the ECHL with 2.79 goals allowed and fifth with 28.94 shots allowed per game.
Power Surge: The Cyclones have scored a power play goal in five straight games and six of their last seven overall, converting on five of 22 chances (22.7%) in that span.
BLING BLING!: The ECHL has announced that Cincinnati Cyclones goaltender Mark Visentin has been named CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week for January 2-8. The 24-year-old led Cincinnati to a perfect 3-0-0 record last week while registering a 1.65 goals-against average along with a .940 save percentage. Visentin’s big week began in Wichita on Wednesday where he turned aside 25 of the 28 shots he faced in a 4-3 win over the Thunder. He followed that up with a perfect 25-for-25 outing in Friday’s 4-0 shutout win in Quad City over the Mallards for his first shutout of the season. He capped off his monster week with a 29-save performance in Sunday’s 3-2 overtime road win over the Wheeling Nailers. A native of Waterdown, ON, Visentin has skated in 15 games with the Cyclones this season. He has a record of 8-5-1-0 along with a 2.71 GAA and a .902 SV%. His 2.75 GAA currently ranks 11th amongst League goaltenders.
Return of the Mac: Forward Brandon McNally has been a major offensive contributor in recent games, accounting for three goals and three assists in his last five games played. He recorded a three-point performance (2g, 1a) in Friday’s 4-0 win over the Quad City Mallards, and has accounted for points in seven of his 11 games overall (6g, 6a).
The Road Ahead: The Cyclones will be spending a lot of time on the road in the coming weeks, as their next eight games will occur away from U.S. Bank Arena. The Cyclones are 7-8-0-0 on the road this season while averaging 2.80 goals per game.
Get Ahead, Stay Ahead: The Cyclones are 13-1-3 record when leading after one period and a 14-1-2 mark when leading after 40 minutes.
Knodel Named to ECHL All-Star Team: The ECHL has announced the participants for the upcoming 2017 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic, presented by I LOVE NY, and amongst the players named to the team is Cyclones defenseman Eric Knodel. The midseason exhibition will take place on Wednesday, January 18, in Glens Falls, NY, and will feature the host Adirondack Thunder against the ECHL All-Stars. A native of West Chester, PA, Knodel is fifth on the team in scoring with four goals and 11 assists through 30 games this season. He is also tied for the team lead with a plus-8 on-ice rating. The 2017 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic, presented by I LOVE NY, will feature the host Adirondack Thunder taking on the ECHL All-Stars in a non-traditional format featuring 5-on-5, 4-on-4, and 3-on-3 play, as well as a Skills Competition (Puck Relay, Hardest Shot, Fastest Skater) to highlight the talents of both teams. The game will also air LIVE exclusively on NHL Network.
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!
