vs.
CHICAGO EXPRESS (34-26-7-4)
Click here for tonight's game note packet
DATE: Saturday, March 31, 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
Chicago Express: Columbus Blue Jackets
NEXT HOME GAME (After Tonight)
Kelly Cup Playoffs - TBD
TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: Often times in sports, the term “must-win” is heavily overused. However, that is the only way to describe tonight’s regular season finale for the Cyclones and Chicago Express. The winner will put themselves in position to potentially clinch a playoff spot, while the loser will begin its offseason at the end of the night. Against the Express this year, Cincinnati has earned a 7-5-1 record and have taken five of the seven meetings at U.S. Bank Arena.
TONIGHT'S PROMOTION: Fan Appreciation Night presented by U.S. Bank - Fans can enjoy $1 Donatos Pizza, John Morrell Hot Dogs, and Soda! Plus, tons of great prizes will be given away to lucky fans all night long!!
SCOUTING THE EXPRESS: Steven Martinson’s club picked up another victory last night against Kalamazoo, extending their season-high winning streak to five games. Despite the surge, they are still in need of a win tonight to preserve a postseason spot; that’s because the Cyclones hold the first tie-breaker with Chicago and would eliminate their Windy City rivals with a “W.” Pierre-Luc Faubert has earned points in three of his last five games and has risen to the top of the Express’ active scoring list; in 2011-12, he has posted 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 71 games. He will be one of just two players on Chicago’s roster to have played in all of his team’s regular season games. Rookie net minder Rob Madore has been a major factor in Chicago’s recent success as well. Since beginning his professional career last month, he has gone 8-3-0-1 with a 2.37 goals-against average.
About Last Night vs. Toledo: In the face of elimination, the Cyclones came through and preserved their postseason aspirations by knocking off the Walleye by a 5-2 final score in front of 4,859 at U.S. Bank Arena. Dan Eves earned his third multi-goal game of the season en route to a three-point night.
Number 9 is Number 2: Cyclones Captain Mathieu Aubin has jumped another notch on the franchise All-Time Scoring List. He now has earned 217 points in a Cyclones jersey, passing Sheldon Gorski for second on the leader board. Only Barrett Ehgoetz earned more tallies for the franchise (289).
Speaking of Records: Mathieu Aubin is also just two goals away from passing his own single-season high for goals in a season; he currently has 29. If he can reach 31, he would join Sheldon Gorski, Joe Cardarelli, Thomas Beauregard and Jean-Michel Daoust as the only players to have 31+ goals in a single season for the franchise.
Early Lead = Win: Jarrod Skalde’s team has scored the game’s first goal on 36 occasions - the sixth most of any team in the league. In such situations, they have amassed an impressive 24-8-1-3 record. Their winning percentage is an astounding 86.1% when scoring the first two-goals of the game, a 14-1-0-3 mark. Their 78 first period goals ranks second most in the ECHL.
Eastern Conference Playoff Race: The top eight teams at season’s end earn a Kelly Cup Playoff bid.
TEAM -- RECORD -- POINTS
1. Elmira* -- 45-22-2-2 -- 94
2. Gwinnett* -- 41-19-7-4 -- 93
3. Kalamazoo* -- 37-26-2-6 -- 82
4. Greenville -- 41-24-2-4 -- 88
5. Florida -- 38-26-2-5 -- 83
6. Wheeling -- 36-26-4-5 -- 81
7. South Carolina -- 36-28-4-3 -- 79
8. Chicago -- 34-26-7-4 -- 79
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9. Reading -- 35-28-3-5 -- 78
10. CYCLONES -- 34-28-2-7 -- 77
11. Toledo -- 28-37-2-4 -- 63
12. Trenton -- 21-40-4-6 -- 52
(Italicized teams have clinched a playoff berth)
SEASON SERIES (16 Meetings - 1 Remaining)
Nov. 4 Cincinnati 3 at Chicago 4 Final SO
Nov. 5 Chicago 2 at Cincinnati 3 Final SO
Nov. 11 Cincinnati 3 at Chicago 5 Final
Nov. 19 Cincinnati 1 at Chicago 2 Final
Dec. 17 Chicago 0 at Cincinnati 3 Final
Dec. 22 Chicago 3 at Cincinnati 4 Final
Jan. 20 Chicago 4 at Cincinnati 3 Final
Jan. 21 Chicago 1 at Cincinnati 4 Final
Jan. 25 Cincinnati 3 at Chicago 2 Final OT
Jan. 28 Cincinnati 0 at Chicago 3 Final
Jan. 29 Cincinnati 2 at Chicago 3 Final SO
Feb. 18 Cincinnati 7 at Chicago 3 Final
Mar. 1 Chicago 2 at Cincinnati 4 Final
Mar. 21 Chicago 1 at Cincinnati 4 Final
Mar. 28 Cincinnati 1 at Chicago 4 Final
Mar. 31 Chicago at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EDT