vs.
ELMIRA JACKALS (28-17-2-2)
Click here for tonight's game note packet
DATE: Thursday, February 16, 2012
TIME: 7:30pm ET
SITE: U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
RADIO: None
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)
NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Elmira Jackals: Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators
NEXT HOME GAME (After Tonight)
Friday, February 17 - 7:30pm vs. Kalamazoo Wings
CYCLONES ZAMBANK NIGHT / $1 HOT DOGS / PUCKS N PINTS: The first 1,500 fans ages 2-12 through the gates receive a limited-edition Cyclones ZamBank. Plus, all fans can enjoy $1 John Morrell Hot Dogs. And, a pre-game beer tasting event is also available for purchase!
TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: Tonight the Cyclones will host the lone game in the ECHL as they welcome in the Elmira Jackals to U.S. Bank Arena in hopes of snapping a three-game losing skid. With a victory tonight, Jarrod Skalde’s team would leapfrog Chicago into second place of the North Division standings. Elmira has won the only two meetings between the teams this year, including a 4-3 shootout decision in early January. Since 2006, Cincinnati is 9-3-0-2 against the Jackals at 100 Broadway.
SCOUTING THE JACKALS: Pat Bingham’s team finds itself in a bit of a slump lately, with just two wins in their last ten games. Despite the recent struggle, the Jackals are still in the think of the Atlantic Division race - sitting just one point back of the Wheeling Nailers. Their power play unit has been a big reason for the success; they have converted on 21.6% of their chances this year, ranking third in the ECHL. Elmira is led offensively by rookie Dustin Gazley, who is currently riding a six game point-scoring streak. Overall, Gazley has amassed 51 points (16 goals, 35 assists), which leads all ECHL rookies and ranks fifth in scoring. Mario Larocque and Aretem Demkov also are riding point streaks of their own, with each tallying at least a point in their last four games. Between the pipes, Brian Stewart has been the Jackals’ go-to guy of late. In 2011-12, the second-year backstop has earned a 16-9-0-1 record with an ECHL 12th-best 2.82 goals against average. On January 8, he posted 34 saves in a shootout win over Cincinnati.
About Tuesday Night in Kalamazoo: Trent Daavettila had a pair of goals, the second of which turned out the be the game-winner, as the Wings snuck past the Cyclones by a 4-3 final score in front of 2,755 at Wings Stadium.
The Comeback Kids: This season Cincinnati has rallied to win a game 12 times, which is more than they accomplished in each of the last two seasons. They are on pace for 19 come-from-behind victories this year, which would surpass even the 2008-09 club who came back to win on 15 occasions.
Bonus Hockey: This year, the Cyclones have had 13 games decided in overtime or a shootout - which is tied for third-most among any ECHL team. While they have a 6-7 record collectively in the extra session, the Clones are an impressive 4-1 in overtime (which is the second most OT wins of any team in the league). They are 2-6 in shootouts.
SEASON SERIES (3 Meetings - 1 Remaining)
Jan. 7 Cincinnati 1 at Elmira 4 Final
Jan. 8 Cincinnati 3 at Elmira 4 Final SOL OT
Feb. 16 Elmira at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST