GAME NOTES: 4/1 vs. Toledo

GAME NOTES: 4/1 vs. Toledo

For Immediate Release: April 1, 2017

         

Game 69 (Home Game 36)

Vs. Toledo Walleye (48-15-2-2, 100 pts)

Saturday, April 1, 2017 - 7:35pm ET

U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH

Full Game Notes

 

Overview: The Cyclones head into their regular-season home finale two points back of the South Carolina Stingrays for the fourth and final playoff spot in the ECHL’s South Division. Cincinnati dropped a 4-3 contest to the Ft. Wayne Komets on Friday night.

Last Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (35-29-4-0) dropped a 4-3 decision to the Ft. Wayne Komets, 4-3, on Friday night. Defensemen Eric Knodel and Jaynen Rissling, along with forward Tommy Mele scored the goals for the Cyclones, who have dropped three in a row.  Cincinnati was outshot, 25-19 on the evening, with Cyclones goaltender Mark Visentin stopping 21 in the loss.

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.

Last 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.

Previewing Toledo: The Walleye lead the ECHL with 100 points on the year and have won seven of their last nine games however are coming off of a 4-1 loss to the Indy Fuel on Friday night. They enter Saturday night with the League’s top offense with a 4.16 goals per game average, and have scored four or more goals in six of their last nine games. Forward Shane Berschbach leads the Walleye with 76 points (17g, 59a) through 66 games, followed by forwards Tyson Spink (33g, 39a) and his twin brother Tylor Spink (27g, 45a) who round out the top three. In goal, Jake Paterson leads the way with a 32-12-1-1 record along with a 2.34 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. 

Inside the Series: This will be the fifth and final meeting of the season between the Cyclones and Walleye, with Toledo posting a  3-1-0-0 record against the Cyclones this season. Cincinnati won the previous meeting, 3-2, back on February 28. 

Next Game Preview: The Cyclones hit the road for the final weekend of the regular season beginning next Friday in Greenville against the Swamp Rabbits. This will be the second and final meeting of the year between the two, with Greenville taking the first matchup back on January 15. 

 

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 assist in Last night’s 4-3 loss to the Ft. Wayne Komets, forward Nick huard has moved into the Cyclones scoring lead with 45 points (16g, 29a). He is followed by a pair of 44-point scorers in Shane Walsh (18g, 26a) and Jordan Sims (15g, 29a). 

Heating up Down the Stretch: Forward Nick Huard has a pair of goals and six assists in his last eight games, and leads the team with 45 points (16g, 29a).

Leading By Example: Forward Shawn O’Donnell had a pair of assists in last night’s 4-3 loss to the Ft. Wayne Komets, and now has points in 10 of his last 14 games (6g, 13a). Two weeks ago in Idaho, O’Donnell registered six points (3g, 3a), and has multi-point outings in four of his last seven games. 

Welcome back: Defenseman Eric Knodel netted his eighth goal of the season last night, and has points in four of his last six games (3g, 2a). He has accounted for three 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.

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!