GAME NOTES: 3/31 VS. Ft. Wayne

GAME NOTES: 3/31 VS. Ft. Wayne

For Immediate Release: March 31, 2017

         

Game 68 (Home Game 35)

Vs. Ft. Wayne Komets (40-18-6-2, 88pts)

Friday, March 31, 2017 - 7:35pm ET

U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH

Full Game Notes

 

Overview: The Cyclones dropped a 5-2 decision to the Brampton Beast on Wednesday night, however still sit only two points back of the South Carolina Stingrays for the fourth and final playoff spot in the South Division. The Cyclones have won seven of their last 10 games, and Friday’s game will be the second-to-last home game of the regular season.

Wednesday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (35-28-4-0) fell to the Brampton Beast, 5-2, on Wednesday night. Forwards Christiaan Minella and Shane Walsh scored the goals for the Cyclones. Cincinnati outshot Brampton, 31-23, with goaltenders Michael Houser and Mark Visentin stopping 18 in the loss.

Saturday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (34-27-4-0) fell to the Ft. Wayne Komets, 1-0, on Saturday night. Despite the loss, Cincinnati still remains just three points back of second place in the ECHL’s South Division. Ft. Wayne outshot Cincinnati, 33-27 on the night, with goaltender Michael Houser turning aside 32 in the loss.

Last Saturday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (35-26-4-0) collected a 4-3 shootout decision over the Alaska Aces on Saturday night. Forwards Shawn O’Donnell and Dominic Zombo along with defenseman Eric Knodel scored the goals in regulation, while forward Nick Huard tallied the shootout winner for the Cyclones. The Cyclones were outshot, 33-30 on the night, with goaltender Mark Visentin stopping 30 in the win.

Previewing Ft. Wayne: The Komets enter Friday night having won three of their last five games, including a 5-2 decision over the Alaska Aces on Wednesday. The Komets are in second place in the Central Division, and  have already clinched a spot in this season’s Kelly Cup Playoffs. They are led by rookie forward Mike Cazzola who has totaled 25 goals and 42 assists this season. He is followed by forwards Kyle Thomas (25g, 39a) and Shawn Szydlowski (23g, 39a) who round out the top three. In goal, Garrett Bartus has accumulated a record of 19-7-1, along with a 2.65 goals against average and a .907 save percentage. 

Inside the Series: Friday’s game marks the finale of an eight-game season series between the Cyclones and Komets, with Ft. Wayne holding a 4-3-0-0 record in the first seven meetings. 

Next Game Preview: The Cyclones wrap up their home portion of the 2016-17 season on Saturday night against the Toledo Walleye. The Walleye are 3-1-0-0 against the Cyclones this season, however Cincinnati won the previous meeting, 3-2, back on February 28. 

 

NEED-TO-KNOW

Cyclones Unveil Playoff Packages: The Cincinnati Cyclones have announced ticket packages for the upcoming 2017 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs. Cyclones playoff packages start at $288 per seat for the general public, and include all 16 potential playoff games. Current 36-game full-season ticket holders already have games one and two of the 2017 playoffs included in their season ticket packages, therefore 14-game plans are available starting at $252 per seat. Single game tickets will be announced once the Cyclones officially clinch a spot in the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Climbing the Ladder: The Cyclones have won 12 of their last 17 games, and are 17-7-0-0 in their last 27 games overall. Cincinnati is currently in fifth place in the ECHL’s South Division, just two points back of South Carolina in fifth, and five back of Greenville in second. The offense has been on display for Cincinnati over the last 22 games, totaling 64 goals and outscoring the opposition 55-30 in their 17 wins.

Crowded at the Top: With his goal in Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to the Brampton Beast, forward Shane Walsh has moved into a three-way tie for the Cyclones scoring lead. His 44 points (18g, 26a) are tied with forwards Nick Huard (16g, 28a) and Jordan Sims (15g, 29a). 

Welcome back: Defenseman Eric Knodel has points in three of his last five games (2g, 2a), and has accounted for two goals and four assists since returning from injury on February 28. 

From Simmer to a Full Boil!: Forward Jordan Sims has points in nine of his last 12 games, totaling three goals and eight assists in that time. Overall, Sims has seven goals and 22 assists in his last 25 games.

Heating up Down the Stretch: Forward Nick Huard has a pair of goals and five assists in his last seven games, is tied for the team lead with 44 points (15g, 29a).

Leading By Example: Forward Shawn O’Donnell has points in nine of his last 13 games, accounting for six goals and 11 assists in that time. Two weeks ago in Idaho, O’Donnell registered six points (3g, 3a), and has multi-point outings in three of his last six games. 

Milestone for Mac: Cincinnati Cyclones Head Coach Matt Macdonald collected his one-hundredth career victory, following a 2-1 win over the Alaska Aces on March 15. The third-year head coach has compiled a career record of 100-83-11-13. After narrowly missing the playoffs in his first season behind the bench, Macdonald’s second season saw a 36-27-5-4 record that featured an amazing run down the stretch to help Cincinnati capture the seventh seed. The Cyclones ultimately fell to the Ft. Wayne Komets in a thrilling first round series 4 games to 3. The Niagara Falls, ON, native also served as an assistant coach for the Cyclones for two seasons upon his retirement from playing in 2012. He helped lead the Cyclones to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances in 2012-13 and 2013-14, and a trip to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2014 where the ‘Clones fell to the Alaska Aces 4 games to 2.

 

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!