vs.
KALAMAZOO WINGS (5-1-0-0)
Click here for tonight's game note packet
DATE: Wednesday, October 31, 2012
TIME: 7:30pm ET
SITE: U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)
NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Kalamazoo Wings: Vancouver Canucks
NEXT HOME GAME (After Tonight)
Saturday, November 3 vs. Wheeling - 7:30pm
MIKE PELECH KIDS JERSEY T-SHIRT NIGHT
TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: Tonight the Cyclones look to treat their fans to another home win and pull into a first place tie with the Kalamazoo Wings as they welcome them into downtown Cincinnati for the first time this season. Since 2006, the Clones have earned a 21-18-2-3 record against the defending North Division Champions. While Kalamazoo held the season series edge by posting a 9-4-1 mark last year, Cincinnati has had great success against the Wings in the Queen City; over the last six years, Cincy is 14-6-1-1 against their rivals from Michigan at 100 Broadway.
TONIGHT'S PROMOTION: Wet Wednesday / Halloween Pre Party - Fans 21+ purchase PBR and Miller High Life for just $1!! Plus, we'll be holding a costume contest on the ice during intermissions with a $200 cash prize going to the winner!
SCOUTING THE WINGS: For the second year in a row, Nick Bootland’s club has started the year with a 5-1-0 record and sit two points ahead of Cincinnati in the North Division standings. The Wings are riding a four-game winning streak and are led offensively by a pair of former Cyclones. 37-year-old defenseman Sam Ftorek paces the team with seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) in six games while forward Eric Kattelus has earned six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in as many games. A big reason for their early success has been between the pipes. 10th year pro Joel Martin leads the ECHL in goals against average (1.23) and save percentage (95.8%) while ranking third in wins (3). Even more impressive, these goaltending numbers are in spite of the Wings allowing 32 shots per game, the 10th most in the ECHL.
Scoring First Matters: As is typically the case, getting an early lead against the Wings is crucial. K-Zoo is a perfect 5-0-0 when lighting the lamp first, while Cincinnati is 2-0-1 in such situations.
From One Killer To the Next: Last weekend, the Cyclones faced the top penalty kill unit in the ECHL (Elmira) and now will welcome in another strong one. Kalamazoo’s PK ranks fourth in the ECHL with a 90.9% efficiency rate (20-for-22). They are also the third least penalized team in the league.
They Just Love Wings: Mike Pelech and Mathieu Aubin were the biggest Wing killers last year, offensively. Pelech notched 20 points (3 goals, 17 assists) in 13 regular season meetings a year ago while Aubin amassed 18 points (12 goals, 6 assists) in 13 meetings.
SEASON SERIES (8 TOTAL, 8 REMAINING)
Oct. 31 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EDT
Nov. 2 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 7:30 pm EDT
Dec. 7 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST
Dec. 31 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 7:00 pm EST
Jan. 26 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST
Feb. 18 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 2:00 pm EST
Mar. 1 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 7:30 pm EST
Mar. 2 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST