GAME NOTES: 2/2 vs. Kansas City

GAME NOTES: 2/2 vs. Kansas City

For Immediate Release: February 2, 2018

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Game 43 (Road Game 23)

Vs. Kansas City Mavericks (25-19-0-1,51pts)

Friday, February 2, 2018 - 8:05pm ET

Silverstein Eye Centers Arena - Independence, MO

 

FULL GAME NOTES

VIDEO PREVIEW

 

Overview: The Cyclones are coming off a close 4-3 loss to the Quad City Mallards on Wednesday night; their first loss of the season to the Mallards. Cincinnati sits just four points back of the fourth and final playoff spot in the ECHL’s Central Division.

Wednesday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (22-17-2-0) dropped a 4-3 decision to the Quad City Mallards on Wednesday night. Forwards Justin Danforth and Rob De Fulviis, along with defenseman Mike Barrett scored the goals for the Cyclones, who lose their first game in seven outings to the Mallards. Shots were tied, 39-39, with goaltender Jason Kasdorf turning aside 35 in defeat.

Sunday Evening Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (22-17-2-0) lost a 6-2 decision to the Toledo Walleye on Sunday evening. Forwards Winston Day Chief and Daniel Muzito-Bagenda found the back of the net for the Cyclones. The Cyclones were outshot on the night, 44-30, with netminder Jonas Johansson steering aside 38 in the loss.

Last Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (22-16-2-0) fell to the Ft. Wayne Komets, 5-2, on Saturday night. Forwards Alex Kile and Daniel Muzito-Bagenda netted the goals for Cincinnati, who tonight celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Mighty Ducks. The Cyclones outshot Ft. Wayne, 31-30 on the evening, with goaltender Jason Kasdorf stopping 26 in the loss.

Previewing Kansas City: The Mavericks have won four of their last five games and are coming off a 3-1 win over the defending Kelly Cup champion Colorado Eagles on Wednesday night. Kansas City currently holds down the third spot in a crowded ECHL Central Division, and are in the midst of a season-long eight-game homestand.  Kansas City posted a 7-3-0-0 record in the month of January, despite ranking in the bottom five in the ECHL with 2.91 goals per game. Offensively, they are led by a pair of 28-point scorers in forwards Matt Robertson (15g, 13a) and Mark Cooper (13g, 15a), followed by defenseman Bryce Aneloski (5g, 20a) who rounds out the top three. In goal, Mason McDonald has posted a 10-9-0-1 record along with a 3.18 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage. 

Inside the Series: Friday marks the first of three straight between the Cyclones and Mavericks, and the second of a four-game season series. The Cyclones dropped the first meeting of the season, 3-2 back on January 12, and have struggled against the Mavericks since they came into the ECHL two seasons ago, posting a 1-6-0-0 record overall, including 0-5-0-0 in Kansas City. 

Next Game Preview: Cincinnati wraps up their four-game road trip on Saturday night in Kansas City against the Mavericks. 

 

NEED-TO-KNOW

On Fire: Forward Daniel Muzito-Bagenda extended his point streak point streak to six games with an assist in Wednesday’s 4-3 loss to the Quad City Mallards, and now has four goals and six assists in that time. His streak comes on the heals of a five-game point drought, and he currently is sixth on the team in scoring with six goals and 16 assists. 

Power Surge: The Cyclones have eight power play goals in their last five games (8/22), and currently rank seventh in the League with a 19.4% power play conversion rate. Additionally, Cincinnati has the top home power play percentage in the ECHL, having lit the lamp 18 times in 80 tries which is good for 22.5%. 

Cyclones Sign Flegel: The Cyclones have signed defenseman Jake Flegel to a Standard Player Contract. The 6’4” rearguard has appeared in one game with the Brampton Beast, and has spent the majority of the seaon with the Knoxville Ice Bears of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) where he has totalled 10 points (3g, 7a) along with 50 minutes in penalties in 24 games. The third-year pro has seen 115 games of SPHL action since turning pro, accounting for four goals and 34 assists. He played collegiately for Adrian College from 2013-15, registering 10 points (2g, 8a). He was also collegiate teammates with Cyclones defenseman Chris Leone, and junior hockey teammates with forward Justin Danforth while with the Cobourg Cougars of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) from 2019-12. 

Trio Reassigned: The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Buffalo Sabres and American Hockey League’s (AHL) Rochester Americans, have announced that defensemen Arvin Atwal and Eric Knodel, along with forward Justin Danforth have been reassigned by the Americans. Atwal appeared in two games during his second stint with the Americans, and has recorded an assist in four games with them overall this season. He is currently tenth on the Cyclones in scoring with a pair of goals and nine assists through 27 games. Knodel is also coming off his second stint in Rochester, appearing in four games from January 17-27, and six games overall, however has yet to record a point. He has appeared in 27 games this season for Cincinnati and is tied for eighth amongst League defenseman with nine goals and 17 assists. Danforth appeared in one game with the Americans, however could not find the scoresheet. He is in the midst of a stellar rookie campaign, leading all ECHL first years with 22 goals and 22 assists through the first 38 games of the season. His 45 points have him tied for second overall in League scoring, while his 22 goals place him in a tie for third, Additionally, he enjoyed an 11-game point streak from November 18-December 15, accounting for seven goals and 10 assists in that span. He was also the Cyclones’ representative in last Monday’s CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic, recording a goal and emerging victorious in the Fastest Skater Competition, setting a new ECHL record with a lap of 12.75 seconds. 

Defensive Duo Recalled: The Rochester Americans, American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate have announced that defensemen Arvin Atwal and Devante Stephens have been recalled from the Cyclones. Reassigned to the Cyclones on Monday, Atwal appeared in two games during his second stint with the Americans last week, and has recorded an assist in four games with them overall this season. He is currently tenth on the Cyclones in scoring with a pair of goals and nine assists through 27 games. Stephens returns to Rochester for the second time, having skated in four games with the Americans from October 25-November 18. Through 31 games for the Cyclones this season, the White Rock, BC, native has dished out eight assists and has racked up 22 minutes in penalties. 

Approaching Milestones: Cyclones forward Jesse Schultz is on the cusp of a pair of major career milestones, as he sits just 12 games shy of 900 for his pro career, and six points back of 800. Schultz currently leads the Cyclones in scoring with 46 points (15g, 31a)

Packed Schedule: Cincinnati will have their hands full in the second half of the season, playing their final 30 games over a stretch of 66 days, which averages out to a game every 2.20 days. Additionally, Cincinnati has seven more stretches of three games in three days, two stretches of four games in five days, and one stretch of seven games in nine days. 

Familiar Foes: Cincinnati is in the midst of a stretch of 12 straight against divisional opponents. Cincinnati is 13-12-2-0 against the Central Division this season, and will play 20 of their final 30 games within the division. 

Finishing What They Started: The Cyclones have a 16-2-0-0 record when leading through two periods this season. This is a continuing trend from last season, when the Cyclones were 23-1-3-1 when leading after one, and 26-1-2-0 when leading after 40 minutes. 

New Affiliation: This offseason, the Cyclones, in conjunction with the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Buffalo Sabres, announced a new affiliation agreement. For Cincinnati, the move comes following a 10-year partnership with the Nashville Predators, while the Sabres recently concluded a two-year relationship with the now-defunct Elmira Jackals. This affiliation will be a reunion of sorts for the cities of Cincinnati and Buffalo, as the Sabres’ American Hockey League (AHL) Affiliate from 1971-1974 was the Cincinnati Swords. The Rochester Americans will serve as Cincinnati’s new AHL affiliate, and have been the AHL affiliate of the Sabres since 2011. This is not the first time Cincinnati and Rochester have been affiliated, as the two clubs teamed up in 2010-11 when the Americans were affiliated with the Florida Panthers. 

Stay Connected!: Follow the latest news on Twitter (@CincyCyclones), Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and more! Also, for all of the latest news and notes, head over to www.cycloneshockey.com.

 

The 2017-18 season is underway, and the Cincinnati Cyclones want YOU along for the ride! Call (513) 421-PUCK for information regarding Cyclones single game tickets, ticket packages, and Season and Group Tickets! Also, stay on top of the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!