Cyclones Game Preview: Cincinnati vs. Kalamazoo - January 12, 2011

Cyclones Game Preview: Cincinnati vs. Kalamazoo - January 12, 2011

CINCINNATI CYCLONES (14-13-5-2) vs. KALAMAZOO WINGS (14-15-1-2)

DATE: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
TIME: 7:30pm
SITE: U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
RADIO: None
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (American One)

NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Kalamazoo Wings: New York Islanders

NEXT HOME GAME
Friday, January 14 vs. Wheeling - 7:30pm.
Twister Bobblehead Night - First 2,500 fans in attendance receive a Twister Bobblehead

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP:  After picking up a three-game road sweep of the Florida Everblades last week, the Cyclones will begin an extended stretch of games at U.S. Bank Arena.  In fact, 16 of their next 19 will be played in downtown Cincinnati, starting tonight with a tilt against the Kalamazoo Wings.  The Cyclones are 1-1-2-1 against K-Zoo this year, but are 11-5-3-1 overall since last season and 7-2-1 in the Queen City during that stretch.

TONIGHT’S PROMOTION:  Wet Wednesday – Fans can purchase $1 PBR and Miller High Life.

SCOUTING THE WINGS:  Kalamazoo comes into Cincinnati this week ranked third in the North Division standings, sitting just four points back of the Cyclones.  All but one of their games in this season series with the ‘Clones has been decided by a single goal.  Kory Karlander leads the Wings in scoring with 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists) while former Cyclone Ryan Nie has earned a 10-9-1-2 record with a 3.36 goal-against average this year.

JUST CALL 'EM THE CLOSERS:  The ‘Clones have been nearly automatic when taking a lead into the third period.  In 2010-11, they are 10-1-3 when holding the advantage after 40 minutes.

SHOOTING GALLERY
: The Cyclones have cranked up their shot output over the last three games.  They threw 117 pucks on Florida’s net during last week’s three-game set.  Their 48 shots on goal on Saturday was the single-game high this season.

MORE PROWESS FROM PIERCE:  Second-year forward Matt Pierce continues to stack up the points for Cincinnati.  Since being sent back from Rochester, he has been on the scoresheet in 6 of 9 games and had two multi-point games last week against Florida.  In fact, Pierce is the Cyclones active leader in that category, registering 4 multi-point contests this season.

SEASON SERIES (15 Meetings - 10 Remaining)
Oct. 23 Cincinnati 2 at Kalamazoo 3 Final OT
Oct. 24 Cincinnati 3 at Kalamazoo 4 Final SOL OT
Nov.  3 Kalamazoo 4 at Cincinnati 3 Final
Nov. 16 Kalamazoo 3 at Cincinnati 2 Final OT
Nov. 19 Kalamazoo 2 at Cincinnati 5 Final
Jan. 12 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EST
Jan. 21 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 7:30 pm EST
Jan. 22 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EST
Feb. 21 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 2:05 pm EST
Feb. 23 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EST
Feb. 26 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 7:30 pm EST
Mar.  6 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 4:00 pm EST
Mar. 23 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 7:00 pm EDT
Mar. 30 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 10:30 am EDT
Apr.  1 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EDT