vs.
WHEELING NAILERS (19-13-2-1)
Click here for tonight's game note packet
DATE: Sunday, January 15, 2012
TIME: 4:05pm ET
SITE: WesBanco Arena - Wheeling, WV
RADIO: Cyclones Radio Network (1160-AM)
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)
NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Wheeling Nailers: Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins
NEXT HOME GAME
Friday, January 20 - 7:30pm vs. Chicago Express
The first 2,000 fans will receive a Cyclones Lunchbox/Cooler courtesy of City BBQ. Fans can also enjoy $1 City BBQ Pulled Pork.
TODAY'S MATCHUP: Less than 24 hours after an exhilarating 5-4 overtime win last night, the Cyclones will look for back-to-back victories against the Nailers today to wrap up their three game weekend. It was Cincinnati’s first overtime triumph of the season and, combined with a Chicago shootout defeat, pulls the Cyclones to within four points of second place in the North Division standings.
SCOUTING THE NAILERS: The Nailers have now dropped two straight games to North Division teams, first Toledo and now Cincinnati. With the two losses, they remain ranked second in the Atlantic Division race - six points back of first place Elmira. Although he was held off the scoresheet last night, rookie Chris Barton continues to pace all ECHL first-year players and ranks tied for ninth in the league overall with 35 points (19 goals, 16 assists) in 32 games. Peter Lenes enjoyed a four-point game in a losing effort last night and is now the Nailers offensive leader against Cincinnati. Goaltender Patrick Killeen turned aside 32 shots in the defeat at U.S. Bank Arena, dropping his record to 10-9-2-1 with a 2.96 goals against average.
About Last Night vs. Wheeling: Rob Slaney posted a three-point night including the game-winning goal at the 2:36 mark of overtime, giving the Cyclones a 5-4 triumph over the Nailers in front of 5,545 at U.S. Bank Arena. It was the first time this season that the Cyclones won a game in the extra session (excluding shootouts). Slaney becomes the fifth Cyclone this season to have a three-point night or better.
Get on ‘Em Early: The Clones have continued to shine when grabbing an early lead. They are 11-4-0-1 when scoring the games first goal, and have gone 6-1-0 at U.S. Bank Arena when carrying the lead at the first intermission. Even more impressively, they are 7-0-0 on home ice when leading after two periods and 9-2-0-1 overall in such situations.
Stayin’ Stingy: Cincinnati remains one of the top defensive teams in the ECHL, allowing the fourth-lowest average shots per game (28) and lowest total shots allowed (868). They have been especially solid in the final period, allowing an ECHL third-fewest 29 goals in the final frame.
Multi-Point Madness: Cincinnati has 13 players on its active roster who have registered at least one multi-point game this year. Mathieu Aubin is the team leader in this category with nine of them (including three multi-goal games) while Anthony Luciani has earned seven.
Pelech Pacing for History: Cyclones center man Mike Pelech has earned 27 points in 29 games this season. He is on pace for a 67-point season, which would be sixth-best mark in franchise history. It would also be the first time since 2008-09 that a Cyclones player earned 65 points or more (Mark Van Guilder had 70).
SEASON SERIES (6 Meetings - 4 Remaining)
Jan. 6 Cincinnati 2 at Wheeling 5 Final
Jan. 14 Wheeling 4 at Cincinnati 5 Final OT
Jan. 15 Cincinnati at Wheeling 4:05pm EST
Mar. 3 Wheeling at Cincinnati 7:30pm EST
Mar. 23 Cincinnati at Wheeling 7:35pm EDT
Mar. 24 Wheeling at Cincinnati 7:30pm EDT