Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati vs. Gwinnett

Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati vs. Gwinnett

CINCINNATI CYCLONES (24-18-1-7)
vs.
GWINNETT GLADIATORS (29-14-7-4)


Click here for tonight's game note packet

DATE: Wednesday, February 22, 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
Gwinnett Gladiators: Phoenix Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres

NEXT HOME GAME (After Tonight)
Friday, February 24 - 7:30pm vs. Florida Everblades
King of Pop Night - The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive a King of Pop inspired bobblehead! Plus, $1 pop will be available all night long!

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: On Monday afternoon, the Cyclones remained unblemished in regulation against the South Division as they downed the Gwinnett Gladiators by a 3-2 final score. Tonight, their two-game get together continues as they battle at U.S. Bank Arena for the final time this season. Since 2006, the Clones have earned a 4-2-0 record against the Glads, with three of those victories coming at 100 Broadway. Coming into the night, Cincinnati trails the division-leading Kalamazoo Wings by just eight points with two games in hand.

TONIGHT'S PROMOTION: Wet Wednesday / Pucks N Pinot / Mardi Gras Night - Fans 21+ can enjoy $1 PBR and Miller High Life. Plus, a pre-game wine tasting is available for purchase!

SCOUTING THE GLADIATORS: Despite losing just their third game in 11 tries on Monday, Gwinnett remains atop the Eastern Conference leaderboard with 69 points - four ahead of its closest competitor. Offensively, they have found production from all angles as six different players have 30 points or more. Although he didn’t play on Monday, Nakita Kashirsky is still the Glads scoring leader with 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists) in 50 games. Bryan Brutlag has been among team and rookie leaders in scoring as well; in 54 contests, the first-year pro has 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists), good for sixth among rookies. With goaltender Jeff Jakaitis on injured reserve, Joe Palmer has taken the reins in net. Between his time in Reading and Gwinnett, he has amassed a 10-8-1-2 record with a 2.96 goals-against average.

About Monday Afternoon vs. Gwinnett: Dan Eves’ second goal of the night broke a 2-2 tied in the third period as the Cyclones held on to defeat the Gladiators by a 3-2 final score in front of 2,016 at U.S. Bank Arena. Dan Eves had his first three-point night of the season, giving him tallies in 14 of his last 20 games.

Southern Comfort Returns: With three games against the South Division this week, the Cyclones have a chance to extend a strong record against their warm-weather foes. This season, the Clones are 5-0-1 against South Division teams and now 19-4-1 in the Jarrod Skalde era.

Lucky Luciani Returns: Anthony Luciani returned from injury this past week and immediately made an impact. He had points in two of his three games a week ago and now has a total of 32 on the season. His totals are good for 9th among rookies while his six power play goals are tied for the lead among all first-year players.

SEASON SERIES (5 Meetings - 4 Remaining)
Feb. 20 Gwinnett 2 at Cincinnati 3 Final
Feb. 22 Gwinnett at Cincinnati 7:30pm EST
Mar. 10 Cincinnati at Gwinnett 7:05pm EST
Mar. 14 Cincinnati at Gwinnett 7:05pm EDT
Mar. 16 Cincinnati at Gwinnett 7:35pm EDT