vs.
GREENVILLE ROAD WARRIORS (39-22-2-3)
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DATE: Sunday, March 18, 2012
TIME: 4:05pm ET
SITE: BI-LO Center - Greenville, SC
RADIO: Cyclones Radio Network (1160-AM)
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)
NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Greenville Road Warriors: New York Rangers
NEXT HOME GAME
Wednesday, March 21 - 7:30pm vs. Chicago Express
Wet Wednesday / Pucks N Pinot / Singles Night - Fans 21+ can enjoy $1 PBR and Miller High Life / Pre-game wine tasting / Singles Mixer
TODAY'S MATCHUP: The Cyclones will close out their lengthy road trip this afternoon as they face the Greenville Road Warriors for the final time this season and hope to keep their playoff aspirations alive. Despite losing last night in South Carolina, Cincinnati remains tied with the Reading Royals - who were victorious on Saturday - for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. This season, the Cyclones have earned five out of a possible eight points against the Road Warriors, amassing a 2-1-1 record.
SCOUTING THE ROAD WARRIORS: Although Dean Stork’s club dropped a one-goal decision to Gwinnett last night, they are still flying high of late with seven wins in their last ten games. The Road Warriors are currently ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference and sit four points back of the top-ranked Gladiators. Like the previous two of Cincinnati’s opponents, the Road Warriors have been very strong on home ice in 2011-12 - posting a 20-8-2-1 mark at the BI-LO Center. Forward Justin Bowers is Greenville’s go-to guy on offense; he is tied for the ECHL lead in points with 76 (18 goals, 58 assists) in 63 games. His “helper” totals are good for the league-lead. Not surprisingly, he is also the active leader against Cincinnati this season, registering five assists in the four previous meetings. Jason Missiaen, meanwhile, has shouldered most of the load for the Road Warriors between the pipes, collecting a 21-13-0-2 record with a 2.79 goals-against average.
About Last Night in South Carolina: The Stingrays scored the first three goals of the game and never looked back as they defeated the Cyclones by a 4-2 final score in front of 4,906 at North Charleston Coliseum. Maury Edwards and Matt Carter each potted goals for the Cyclones in a losing effort.
Pelech Joins the 200 Club: Cyclones forward Mike Pelech is the latest Cyclone to join the “200 Club.” On Sunday in South Carolina, he played in his 200th game as a professional. During his career, Pelech has amassed 121 points (34 goals, 87 assists) - 52 of them with Cincinnati. The 3rd year pro is on pace to nearly double his previous career high (35 points).
Do You Like Magic?: The race to the Kelly Cup Playoffs is well underway. As of tonight, the Cyclones magic number to clinch a playoff spot is at 15. For every Cincinnati win OR Chicago regulation loss, that number will shrink by two. If the Clones win in a shootout or overtime, the number dips by one. That’s also the case if Chicago falls in bonus hockey.
Eastern Conference Playoff Race: The top eight teams at season’s end earn a Kelly Cup Playoff bid.
TEAM -- RECORD -- POINTS
1. Gwinnett* -- 38-18-7-4 -- 87
2. Elmira* -- 39-22-2-2 -- 82
3. Kalamazoo* -- 34-23-2-6 -- 76
4. Greenville -- 39-22-2-3 -- 83
5. Wheeling -- 35-23-4-3 -- 77
6. South Carolina -- 35-24-4-3 -- 77
7. Florida -- 34-25-2-5 -- 73
8. CYCLONES -- 30-25-2-7 -- 69
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9. Reading -- 31-27-3-4 -- 69
10. Chicago -- 29-25-6-4 -- 68
11. Toledo -- 28-31-2-4 -- 63
12. Trenton -- 20-37-3-5 -- 48
Rule of Three: When holding their opponents to three goals or less, the Cyclones have found tremendous success. They have accumulated a 23-13-1-2 record in such situations this season. Contrarily, when the Clones score more than three goals per game, their record is an astounding 19-2-1-1.
Just Killin’ It: Cincinnati’s penalty kill unit continues to be among the league’s elite. They have successfully extinguished 34 of their last 38 power plays against. Overall, the Clones rank fourth among all 20 ECHL teams with an 84.7% efficiency rate (222-for-262). Against Greenville this season, the Cyclones have killed off 15 of 18 (83.3%).
SEASON SERIES (5 Meetings - 1 Remaining)
Nov. 29 Greenville 4 at Cincinnati 3 Final SO
Dec. 3 Greenville 5 at Cincinnati 6 Final
Jan. 4 Greenville 3 at Cincinnati 6 Final
Feb. 28 Greenville 2 at Cincinnati 1 Final
Mar. 18 Cincinnati at Greenville 4:05 pm EDT
