vs.
WHEELING NAILERS (35-24-4-4)
Click here for tonight's game note packet
DATE: Saturday, March 24, 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
Wheeling Nailers: Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins
NEXT HOME GAME (After Tonight)
Friday, March 30 - 7:30pm vs. Toledo Walleye
Cincinnati's Largest Fish Fry / Kids Jersey T-Shirt Night: Fans can enjoy a pre game Fish Fry on the outer plaza at U.S. Bank Arena prior to the game including $1 Beers! Plus, the first 1,500 fans ages 2-12 through the gates will receive a FREE Cyclones Kids Jersey T-Shirt courtesy of The Plastic Surgery Group!
TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: With an impressive 3-0 shutout victory last night, Cincinnati’s magic number to clinch sits at nine. Tonight the Cyclones bid for three consecutive victories as they return home to close out their season series with the Wheeling Nailers. Last night, Brian Foster made a season-high 43 saves to earn his third shutout of the season and give Cincinnati a much needed win at WesBanco Arena. This year against the Nailers, Cincy has amassed a 3-1-1 record.
TONIGHT'S PROMOTION: Kids Eat FREE: Fans ages 2-12 will receive a FREE meal courtesy of Donatos, Snack Healthy, and Sunny D.
SCOUTING THE NAILERS: Clark Donatelli’s club has struggled of late, dropping five straight games and eight of their last eleven. While they currently own the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, the Nailers are just a point up on seventh-seeded South Carolina and five ahead of Cincinnati. Rookie Chris Barton has been the consistent offensive producer for Wheeling this year, posting 56 points (26 goals, 29 assists) in 64 games which is good for third among all first-year players. Defenseman Andrew Hotham has risen to fourth among rear guards in scoring, collecting 41 points (8 goals, 33 assists) in 47 contests. His “helper” totals rank him fourth among D-men. Between the pipes, Peter Delmas has been the Nailers’ work horse during the second half; he has started in 14 of the last 15 games, amassing an 18-13-1-2 record with a 2.45 goals-against average. His GAA ranks third-best among all active ECHL goalies and is the best mark among Eastern Conference backstops.
About Last Night in Wheeling: Brian Foster turned aside a season-high 43 saves to earn his third shutout of the season as the Cyclones blanked the Nailers by a 3-0 final score in front of 3,081 at WesBanco Arena. It was the fourth time this year that the Cyclones were able to shutout an opponent.
Eastern Conference Playoff Race: The top eight teams at season’s end earn a Kelly Cup Playoff bid.
TEAM -- RECORD -- POINTS
1. Gwinnett* -- 39-18-7-4 -- 88
2. Elmira* -- 41-22-2-2 -- 85
3. Kalamazoo* -- 35-24-2-6 -- 78
4. Greenville -- 40-22-2-4 -- 86
5. Florida -- 37-25-2-5 -- 79
6. Wheeling -- 35-24-4-4 -- 78
7. South Carolina -- 35-26-4-3 -- 77
8. CYCLONES -- 32-26-2-7 -- 73
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9. Reading -- 32-28-3-4 -- 71
10. Chicago -- 30-26-7-4 -- 71
11. Toledo -- 28-33-2-4 -- 63
12. Trenton -- 21-38-3-5 -- 50
(Italicized teams have clinched a playoff berth)
Home Ice Advantage: This season, Cincinnati has played its best hockey at 100 Broadway. They have amassed a 23-7-0-3 record at U.S. Bank Arena, which is the third-best of any team in the ECHL. Only Alaska and Gwinnett have earned a better home mark. They have outscored their opponents by an average of 3.7-2.8 this year at home.
Aubin Among ECHL Elite: Cyclones captain Mathieu Aubin is enjoying a career year. His 63 points (28 goals, 35 assists) is good for the team lead and ranks sixth in the ECHL. He is just five points away from notching the sixth-most single season tallies in franchise history.
SEASON SERIES (6 Meetings - 1 Remaining)
Jan. 6 Cincinnati 2 at Wheeling 5 Final
Jan. 14 Wheeling 4 at Cincinnati 5 Final OT
Jan. 15 Cincinnati 3 at Wheeling 4 Final SO
Mar. 3 Wheeling 5 at Cincinnati 7 Final
Mar. 23 Cincinnati 3 at Wheeling 0 Final
Mar. 24 Wheeling at Cincinnati 7:30pm EDT
