For Immediate Release: April 2, 2017
Game 70 (Road Game 34)
Vs. Indy Fuel (21-40-3-4, 49 pts)
Sunday, April 2, 2017 - 3:05pm ET
Indiana Farmers Coliseum- Indianapolis, IN
Overview: The Cyclones collected a 5-3 win over the Toledo Walleye on Saturday, in the final home game of the 2016-17 season. The win moved Cincinnati into a two-way tie with the South Carolina Stingrays for the fourth and final playoff spot in the ECHL’s South Division.
Last Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (36-29-4-0) earned a 5-3 win over the Toledo Walleye on Saturday night, in the final home game of the 2016-17 season. Forwards Nick Huard, Justin MacDonald, Seth Ambroz, and Christiaan Minella, along with defenseman Martin Lefebvre scored the goals for the Cyclones, who are now tied for the fourth and final playoff spot in the ECHL’s South Division. The Cyclones were outshot, 32-19 on the night, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 29 in the win.
Friday 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.
Previewing Indy: The Fuel enter Sunday winners of three of their last four games, however are coming off of a 5-4 shootout loss to the Ft. Wayne Komets on Saturday night. Prior to the loss, Indy had won three in a row, and outscored their opponents 12-3 in those contests. They are led by former Cyclone Josh Shalla, who has tallied 55 points (30g, 25a) through 66 games. He is closely followed by forward Alex Wideman (20g, 33a), and forward Jake Marchment (14g, 20a) who round out the top three. In goal, Jake Hildebrand leads the way with a record of 17-20-2-2 along with a 3.77 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage.
Inside the Series: This is the 12th and final meeting of the season between the Cyclones and Fuel. Cincinnati has a 7-4-0-0 record in the first 11 games of the series including three in a row.
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 13 of their last 18 games, and are 18-7-0-0 in their last 25 games overall. Cincinnati is currently tied with the South Carolina 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 60-33 in their 18 wins.
Crowded at the Top: Forward Nick Huard extended his Cyclones scoring lead to 46 points (17g, 29a) with a goal in Friday’s 5-3 win over the Toledo Walleye. He has a three of goals and six assists in his last nine games, He is followed by a pair of 44-point scorers in Shane Walsh (18g, 26a) and Jordan Sims (15g, 29a).
Leading By Example: Forward Shawn O’Donnell had an assist in last night’s 5-3 win over the Toledo Walleye, and dished out two more in Friday night’s 4-3 loss to the Ft. Wayne Komets. He now has points in 11 of his last 15 games (6g, 14a).
Welcome back: Defenseman Eric Knodel dished out a pair of assists in last night 5-3 win over the Toledo Walleye, and netted his eighth goal of the season on Friday night in the loss to the Ft. Wayne Komets. He has points in five of his last seven games (3g, 4a), and has accounted for three goals and six assists since returning from injury on February 28 (11 games).
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!
