For Immediate Release: February 21, 2017
CYCLONES WEEKLY RELEASE- WEEK 19
Week 19: February 20 - February 26
LAST WEEK RECAP:
Sunday Afternoon Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (25-23-4-0) defeated the Ft. Wayne Komets, 5-4 in a shootout, on Sunday afternoon. Forwards Shane Walsh, Justin MacDonald, and Brandon McNally, along with defenseman Jonathan Diaby netted the goals for the Cyclones. Cincinnati was outshot, 34-21, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 30 in the win.
Friday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (24-23-4-0) earned a 2-1 win over the Quad City Mallards on Friday night. Forwards Seth Ambroz and Nick Huard scored the goals for the Cyclones, who snap their two-game skid. The Cyclones were outshot, 36-28 on the night, with Cyclones goaltender Michael Houser stopping 35 to collect the win.
Wednesday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (23-23-4-0) fell to the Quad City Mallards, 3-2, on Wednesday night. Forward Tommy Mele recorded both goals for the Cyclones, while goaltender Michael Houser stopped 27 of the 30 shots he faced in the loss.
This Week’s Schedule:
Monday, February 20 AT Kalamazoo- W, 3-2
Wednesday, February 22 vs. Wichita- 7:35pm ET
Friday, February 24 vs. Wichita- 7:35pm ET
Saturday, February 25 vs. Indy- 7:35pm ET
Sunday, February 26 AT Kalamazoo- 3:00pm ET
Cyclones Category Leaders:
Goals: Andrew Yogan (15)
Assists: Jordan Sims, Shane Walsh (22)
Points: Shane Walsh(36)
PPG: Nick Huard (7)
PIMS: Brandon McNally (136)
Plus/Minus: Arvin Atwal (+11)
Shots: Shane Walsh (162)
Wins: Michael Houser (17)
GAA: Michael Houser (2.52)
SV%: Michael Houser (.920)
Italics Indicate No Longer on Active Roster
News and Notes:
Climbing the Ladder: The Cyclones are 8-2-0-0 in their last 10 games and sit just five points back of the fourth and final playoff spot in the ECHL’s South Division. The offense has been on display for Cincinnati over the last 10 games, having outscored the opposition 33-29 in that time, including 30-17 in their eight wins.
The Puck Stops Here: Goaltender Michael Houser has put together some stellar play as of late, posting a 8-1-0-0 record along with a 2.49 goals-against average and a .930 save-percentage in his last 10 games. He’s been busy in recent games as well, making 27 or more saves in eight of his last nine starts. He recently had a five-game winning streak where he posted a 1.97 GAA and a .943 SV%.
In the Nick of Time: Forward Nick Huard scored the game winning goal with 1:24 left in regulations in Friday’s 2-1 win over the Quad City Mallards. He followed up that performance with a two-assist performance in Sunday’s 5-4 shootout win over the Ft. Wayne Komets, and added one more helper in Monday’s 3-2 win over the Kalamazoo Wings. He is currently riding a three-game point streak (1g, 3a) and has accounted for six goals and nine assists in his last 15 games overall.
Power Surge: The Cyclones went 2-for-6 on the power play in Sunday’s 5-4 shootout win over the Ft. Wayne Komets, and have converted on 13 of their last 44 man-advantage opportunities over the last seven games (29.5%).
Tommy Two-Tone: Forward Tommy Mele recorded his first two-goal game of the season in Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to Quad City, and followed that up with a goal in Sunday’s 3-2 win over the Kalamazoo Wings. He now has 13 points (7g, 6a) through 23 games this season, and Wednesday marked Mele’s first points since returning from an injury that sidelined him for over a month.
That’s Offensive!: Forward Jordan Sims has been a man on a mission in recent games, accounting for four goals and 10 assists in his last 11 games. . He dished out four assists in last Saturday’s 5-4 overtime win over the Ft. Wayne Komets, which followed his first pro hat trick in last Wednesday’s 5-1 win over the Elmira Jackals.
Putting Up the Points: Forward Brandon McNally has points in seven of his last nine games, totaling four goals and three assists in that time.
Smith Makes NHL Debut: After spending eight seasons in the minor leagues, former Cincinnati Cyclones goaltender Jeremy Smith made his NHL debut last Tuesday night for the Colorado Avalanche, stopping 37 of the 40 shots he faced in Colorado’s 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils. Despite the loss, Smith’s efforts earned him second star of the game honors. Smith made his pro debut with the Cyclones back in 2009-10, posting a 23-15-2 record along with a 2.63 goals-against average and an .899 save percentage in 42 regular season games. A native of Dearborn, MI, Smith was an instrumental piece to Cincinnati’s run to the Kelly Cup Championship that season, recording a mark of 9-7-1 to go along with a 2.67 GAA and a .907 SV%. He also earned Kelly Cup Playoff co-MVP honors. The 28-year-old has spent the majority of his pro career in the American Hockey League (AHL), appearing in 265 games between the Iowa Wild, Milwaukee Admirals, Providence Bruins, San Antonio Rampage, and Springfield Falcons. He has a career AHL record of 132-90-19 record along with a 2.43 GAA and a .917 SV%. He was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the second round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, and joins Wade Megan (St. Louis Blues), and Mike Liambas and Frederick Gaudreau (Nashville Predators) as former Cyclones to make their NHL debuts this season, and is the 22nd former Cyclone along with the 615th former ECHLer to skate in an NHL game.
It’s Good to be Home: After playing 11-of-12 games on the road in January, the Cyclones play 12-of-16 at home in February. The Cyclones are 16-7-4-0 at home this season, averaging 3.11 goals per game on in their first 27 home games. Cincinnati also boasts the League’s fifth- best penalty kill at home, having killed of 69/79 oppositional power plays (87.3%).
Defensive Front: The Cyclones currently boast one of the top defenses in the ECHL, as they currently rank sixth in both goals allowed per game with 2.96 and shots allowed with 30.00 allowed per 60 minutes.
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!
