For Immediate Release: March 10, 2017
Game 61 (Road Game 28)
Vs. Idaho Steelheads (33-18-5-2, 73pts)
Friday, March 10, 2017 - 9:10pm ET
CenturyLink Arena - Boise, ID
Overview: Cincinnati has won three in a row and five of their last six games overall entering Friday night. The Cyclones are 13-4-0-0 in their last 17 games, and have climbed right back into the thick of the ECHL playoff race, holding down the fourth and final playoff spot in the South Division, and sitting just one point back of third.
Saturday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (31-25-4-0) earned a 3-2 win over the Adirondack Thunder on Saturday night. Forwards Jordan Sims and Seth Ambroz, along with defenseman Jonathan Diaby scored the goals for Cincinnati. It was another stellar performance for Cyclones goaltender Joel Rumpel, who turned aside 51 of the 53 shots he faced to collect the win.
Thursday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (30-25-4-0) collected their 30th win of the season on Thursday night, taking down the Adirondack Thunder, 2-0. Forwards Jordan Sims and Tommy Mele scored the goals for the Cyclones, while goaltender Joel Rumpel was perfect on the night, stopping all 46 shots he faced to earn his second shutout of the season.
Tuesday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (29-25-4-0) took down the Toledo Walleye, 3-2, on Tuesday night. Forwards Dominic Zombo, Justin MacDonald, and Shawn O’Donnell tallied the goals for the Cyclones, who snapped Toledo’s seven-game winning streak. The Cyclones were outshot, 28-20 on the night, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 26 in the win.
Previewing Idaho: The Steelheads enter Friday night winners of four in a row, including a three-game sweep of the Rapid City Rush last weekend. Special teams has been a large part to Idaho’s success this season as they rank in the to four in both power play percentage (22.6%) and penalty kill percentage (84.6%). They are led offensively by former Cyclone Anthony Luciani who has accounted for 25 goals and 29 assists in 57 games played this season. He is followed by forward Jefferson Dahl (15g, 37a) and forwards Will Merchant and Joe Bassaraba (18g, 23a) who round out the top three. In goal, Landon Bow leads the way with a 15-4-2-0 record, and ranks second in the League with a 2.15 goals-against average, and a .933 save percentage.
Inside the Series: Friday will mark the first meeting between Cincinnati and Idaho since the they met in the 2010 Kelly Cup Finals, when Cincinnati defeated the Steelheads, 4 games to 1, to claim their second Kelly Cup title.
Next Game Preview: The Cyclones and Steelheads wrap up their two-game series on Saturday night at 9:10pm ET.
NEED-TO-KNOW
Rumpel Nabs League Honor: The ECHL has announced that Cyclones goaltender Joel Rumpel has been named CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week for the week of February 27-March 5. Rumpel had a stellar week for the Cyclones, posting a record of 2-0-0-0 and a 1.00 goals-against average, and he stopped 97 of the 99 shots he faced for a .979 save percentage in two games. His monster week began with a 46-save performance in Thursday’s 2-0 win over the Adirondack Thunder, marking his second-consecutive shutout (Feb. 24). He then turned aside 51-of-53 Thunder shots in Saturday’s 3-2 win. Hailing from Swift Current, SK, Rumpel has appeared in seven games for the Cyclones this season posting a record of 3-3-0 with two shutouts along with a 2.74 GAA and a .925 SV%.
Climbing the Ladder: The Cyclones have won eight of their last 10 games, and are 13-4-0-0 in their last 17 games overall. Cincinnati currently holds fourth and final playoff spot in the ECHL’s South Division, and are only three points back of second. The offense has been on display for Cincinnati over the last 17 games, totaling 49 goals and outscoring the opposition 43-23 in their 13 wins.
Leading By Example: Forward Shawn O’Donnell has accounted for a pair of goals and five assists over his last six games. He is currently riding a three-game points streak where he has a goal and a pair of assists, and he has also netted a pair of game-winning goals over the last six contests.
Starting to Simmer!: Forward Jordan Sims is riding a five-game point streak, totaling two goals and three assists in that time. Overall, Sims has six goals and 13 assists in his last 17 games. He is second on the team in scoring, accounting for 14 goals, and he is tied for the team-lead with 25 assists.
Holding the Lead: The Cyclones enter the week with a 21-1-3-0 record when leading after one period, and a 24-1-2-0 mark when ahead after 40 minutes.
Defensive Front: The Cyclones currently boast one of the top defenses in the ECHL, as they currently rank sixth in goals allowed per game with 2.90 and ninth in shots allowed with 30.43 allowed per 60 minutes.
Power Surge: The Cyclones power play has played a major role recently, having converted on 16 of their last 62 man-advantage opportunities over the last 10 games (25.8%).
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!
