vs.
KALAMAZOO WINGS (12-15-2-1)
Click here for tonight's game note packet
DATE: Monday, December 31, 2012
TIME: 7:00pm ET
SITE: Wings Stadium - Kalamazoo, MI
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)
NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Kalamazoo Wings: Vancouver Canucks
NEXT HOME GAME
Saturday, January 5 vs. Fort Wayne Komets - 7:30pm
THROWBACK NIGHT / TEDDY BEAR TOSS
TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: Having won five of their last six games, the Cyclones look to close out the calendar year tonight with another critical division triumph as they visit the Kalamazoo Wings for the second to final time this season. Jarrod Skalde’s team has taken all three meetings with the K-Wings this year, outscoring them 12-9 in the process. Since 2006, the Clones own a 24-18-2-3 record against their rivals from “The Mitten.”
SCOUTING THE WINGS: Nick Bootland’s club snapped its five-game winless skid on Saturday night by stealing a 4-3 shootout victory over the Toledo Walleye and climb to within 13 points of Cincinnati in the North Division standings. Former Cyclone Eric Kattelus has emerged as the Wings top scorer this season, posting 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) while 40-year-old Kory Karlander has also notched 26 points (7 goals, 19 assists) in 30 games. Veteran goaltender Joel Martin has been a workhorse this season for the Wings, starting in 14 straight games coming into the night. He has amassed a 10-12-2-1 record thus far with a 2.76 goals-against average and ranks second in the ECHL with 741 saves.
Milestones Galore: Cyclones captain Mathieu Aubin is performing at a record-setting pace of late. He notched his 100th goal as a Cyclone on Saturday in Evansville, tying Barrett Ehgoetz for 2nd on the club’s all-time scoring list. On Saturday, he also notched his 300th and 301st professional points. He is second on the club’s assist leaderboard and games played list.
A Strong Start: While there’s still plenty of hockey still to play, the Cyclones have gotten off to a tremendous start in 2012. Their 66.7% winning percentage is the best they’ve had at the end of a calendar year since the 2007-08 season, when that team was an astounding 24-6-1-1.
Suffocating Defense: One of Cincinnati’s staples this year has been the defense. They are allowing the third-fewest average goals per game (2.69) and, not surprisingly, they have allowed the sixth fewest average shots per game as well (28).
Keep Your Enemies Close: The Cyclones have played the bulk of their games down to the wire. 19 of their 30 contests this season have been decided by one goal - the second most of any team in the ECHL. The Clones are an impressive 12-5-2 in such situations.
SEASON SERIES (8 TOTAL, 5 REMAINING)
Oct. 31 Kalamazoo 2 at Cincinnati 3 Final
Nov. 2 Cincinnati 5 at Kalamazoo 4 Final
Dec. 7 Kalamazoo 3 at Cincinnati 4 Final SO
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
