Cyclones Game Preview: Cincinnati vs. Wheeling

CINCINNATI CYCLONES (19-18-6-2) vs. WHEELING NAILERS (28-16-0-2)

DATE: Saturday, February 5, 2011
TIME: 8:05pm
SITE: WesBanco Arena – Wheeling, WV
RADIO: None
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (American One)

NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Wheeling Nailers: Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens

NEXT HOME GAME
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 vs. Florida - 7:30pm
Wet Wednesday - $1 PBR and Miller High Life

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP:  Tonight the Cyclones will play the first of only two road games during this month of February, as they reunite with the Wheeling Nailers for the second-to-last time in the 2010-11 regular season.  The ‘Clones have taken two of the three meetings at WesBanco Arena, including a 3-2 victory last month.  Overall, however, the Nailers have the advantage in the season series, posting a 6-3-0 record so far.

SCOUTING THE NAILERS: Stan Drulia’s club extended their cushion in the North Division to 12 points with a win over the Cyclones last night.  And despite playing without Nick Petersen, Ben Street, and Patrick Killeen, the Nailers illustrated why they are the division leader - finding plenty of offense from other sources.  Casey Pierro-Zabotel is the Nailers active leader in scoring, amassing 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) in 41 games.  Rookie netminder Peter Delmas has been extremely solid in Patrick Killeen’s absence - stringing together seven consecutive victories while posting a 1.86 goals-against average.  Mikael Bedard, Kyle Bushee, and Jason DeSantis have each collected eight points against Cincinnati this season.

Movin’ On Up:  Earlier today, Brian O’Hanley and Mathieu Aubin were each called up to the American Hockey League.  O’Hanley will join the Portland Pirates tonight as they host Connecticut while Aubin will head up I-71 to join the Lake Erie Monsters.  

Winners Are Everywhere:  This past Sunday, Scott Reynolds became the sixth Cyclones player to register more than one game-winning goal this season.  Sam D’Agostino is the leader in this department, netting three while Reynolds joins Barret Ehgoetz, Dustin Sproat, Matt Pierce, and Dylan Hunter with a pair.

Record Setting Pace:  Cyclones enforcer Benn Olson is the ECHL’s leader in major penalties (17) and ranks third in the league in overall penalty minutes (141).  He is on pace for 241 PIM, which would be the sixth-most in franchise history.

The Closing Continues:  The ‘Clones have been nearly automatic when taking a lead into the third period.  In 2010-11, they are 14-1-4 when holding the advantage after 40 minutes.

SEASON SERIES (11 Meetings - 2 Remaining)
Oct. 30 Wheeling 7 at Cincinnati 3 Final
Nov.  6 Cincinnati 2 at Wheeling 0 Final
Dec. 17 Wheeling 1 at Cincinnati 2 Final
Dec. 18 Wheeling 7 at Cincinnati 2 Final
Dec. 26 Cincinnati 4 at Wheeling 5 Final
Jan. 14 Wheeling 6 at Cincinnati 3 Final
Jan. 15 Cincinnati 3 at Wheeling 2 Final
Jan. 18 Wheeling 7 at Cincinnati 1 Final
Feb.  4 Wheeling 6 at Cincinnati 3 Final
Feb.  5 Cincinnati at Wheeling 8:05 pm EST
Mar.  4 Cincinnati at Wheeling 7:35 pm EST