GAME NOTES: 2/3 vs. Kansas City

GAME NOTES: 2/3 vs. Kansas City

For Immediate Release: February 3, 2018

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Game 44 (Road Game 24)

Vs. Kansas City Mavericks (25-20-0-1,51pts)

Saturday, February 3, 2018 - 8:05pm ET

Silverstein Eye Centers Arena - Independence, MO

 

FULL GAME NOTES

VIDEO PREVIEW

 

Overview: The Cyclones snapped their four-game losing streak with a 5-1 win over the Kansas City Mavericks on Friday night, and have now moveed to within two points of the fourth and final playoff spot in the ECHL’s Central Division. 

Last Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (23-18-2-0) earned a 5-1 over the Kansas City Mavericks on Friday night. Forward Justin Danforth led the way with a pair of goals, while forwards Alex Kile and Justin Vaive, along with defenseman Jake Flegel, added lone tallies for the Cyclones, who snap their four-game skid. Cincinnati was outshot, 35-27 on the night, with goaltender Jonas Johansson steering aside 34 in the win.

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.

Previewing Kansas City: The Mavericks have won four of their last six games following Friday’s 5-1 loss to the Cyclones. 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 forward Mark Cooper who has amassed 29 points (14g, 15a) through 42 games this season. Forward Matt Robertson (15g, 13a) follows close by in second, while defenseman Bryce Aneloski (5g, 21a) 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: Saturday marks the second of three straight between the Cyclones and Mavericks, and the third of a four-game season series. The Cyclones are 1-1-0-0 against the Mavs this season, and picked up their first win ever in Kansas City on Friday night. Overall, Cincinnati has a  2-6-0-0 record against the Mavericks, including 1-5-0-0 in Kansas City. 

Next Game Preview: Cincinnati returns home on Thursday to take on the Mavericks in the fourth and final game between the two teams this season.

 

NEED-TO-KNOW

Bagging up the Points: Forward Daniel Muzito-Bagenda extended his point streak point streak to seven games with an assist in Friday’s 5-1 win over the Kansas City Mavericks, and now has four goals and eight 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 17 assists. 

Power Surge: The Cyclones have nine power play goals in their last six games (9/25), and are currently tied for fourth in the League with a 19.7% power play conversion rate (34/173). 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%. 

Johansson Recalled: Cyclones goaltender Jonas Johansson has been recalled by the Rochester Americans, American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Cyclones. Johansson has appeared in 17 games for the Cyclones this season, posting an 8-7-1-0 record along with a 3.33 goals-against average and a .901 saver percentage. 

Good Frst Impression: Signed to a Standard Player Contract (SPC) prior to Cincinnati’s 5-1 win over the Kansas City Maverics on Friday night, defenseman Jake Flegel netted a goal in his first game in a Cyclones sweater. 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. 

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 11 games shy of 900 for his pro career, and six points back of 800. Schultz currently ranks second on 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 29 games over a stretch of 65 days, which averages out to a game every 2.24 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 14-12-2-0 against the Central Division this season, and will play 19 of their final 29 games within the division. 

Finishing What They Started: The Cyclones have a 17-1-0-0 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