vs.
KALAMAZOO WINGS (9-10-1-0)
Click here for tonight's game note packet
DATE: Friday, December 7, 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)
Wednesday, December 12 vs. Florida Everblades - 7:30pm
WET WEDNESDAY / UGLY SWEATER PARTY
TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: With another thrilling home win under their belt, tonight the Cyclones will look to carry the momentum to their sixth win in seven games as they welcome in the Kalamazoo Wings to U.S. Bank Arena. Cincinnati has won both of the previous two meetings with K-Zoo and have an all-time record of 23-18-2-3; The Clones own a 15-6-1-1 mark in downtown Cincinnati. Tonight is the third of just eight meetings in the 2012-13 regular season series.
TONIGHT'S PROMOTION: Pucks N Pups / $1 Hot Dogs / Weiner Dog Race - Fans can bring their four-legged friends to the game. Plus, the first 2,000 fans through the gates receive a FREE Cyclones Dog Bowl. And all fans can enjoy delicious John Morrell Hot Dogs for just $1. And during the intermission, we'll hold a Weiner Dog Race on the ice!!
SCOUTING THE WINGS: Nick Bootland’s club is on a bit of a slide lately, dropping three consecutive games and six of their previous ten. Amplifying their struggle, the defending North Division Champions have gone just 7-7-1 against their division foes this season. Brett Lysak and Kory Karlander are the Wings’ leaders on offense, notching 19 points apiece. Former Cyclones Eric Kattelus and Sam Ftorek are also near the top, with 18 points each. The 38-year old Ftorek leads all ECHL rear guards in assists (15) and ranks third in the category in overall points. Veteran net minder Joel Martin has been the go-to guy in net for Kalamazoo this season; in 15 appearances, he has 7-7-1 record but ranks 11th among all league goaltenders with a 2.53 goals-against average. While he has shouldered the second-most losses in the league, the 30-year-old has an ECHL fifth-best 92.5 save percentage. This season against Cincinnati, Martin is 0-2 with a 4.03 GAA.
Shalla’s Shelling: After notching a goal on Saturday night and an assist this past Wednesday, Josh Shalla has now posted points in four straight games and 8 of his last 9. In addition to ranking third among rookies in goals, Shalla is atop the ECHL in shooting percentage; he has notched goals on nine of his 23 shots on net.
Defense Wins: It’s no secret that successful teams play great defense. That has proved to be true with Cincinnati this season. Jarrod Skalde’s team is allowing an average of 2.55 goals per game - which ranks third best among all ECHL teams this season. Not surprisingly, when the Cyclones hold their opponents to three goal or less, they are 11-0-2.
SEASON SERIES (8 TOTAL, 6 REMAINING)
Oct. 31 Kalamazoo 2 at Cincinnati 3 Final
Nov. 2 Cincinnati 5 at Kalamazoo 4 Final
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
