vs.
FORT WAYNE KOMETS (26-26-1-1)
Click here for tonight's game note packet
DATE: Friday, February 22, 2013
TIME: 8:00pm ET
SITE: Memorial Coliseum - Fort Wayne, IN
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)
RADIO: FM 100 The FAN (100.3 FM)
NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Fort Wayne Komets: Anaheim Ducks
NEXT HOME GAME
Saturday, February 23 vs. Wheeling - 7:30pm
PINK IN THE RINK NIGHT
TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: Cincinnati opens another busy stretch tonight as they play four games over the next five days - beginning with their final visit to Fort Wayne this season. The Cyclones won last week’s meeting with the Komets 2-1 to run their 2012-13 record against their Hoosier State rivals to 4-2-2.
SCOUTING THE KOMETS: Al Simms’ club is suffering through a season-long five game losing skid - getting outscored 24-8 during that stretch. Coming into the night, they sit 14 points back of Cincinnati in the North Division. One of the few consistent bright spots for the Komets has been Brandon Marino. The 26 year old ranks third in the ECHL (and leads his team) with 59 points in 53 games. Brett Smith, who has scored eight points in as many games against Cincinnati, ranks second on the Komets with 40 tallies in 50 contests this season. With goaltender Marco Cousineau placed on the 21-day injured reserve list earlier this week, Fort Wayne got some help from their AHL affiliate in the form of Jeff Deslauriers. The former second-round pick posted a 2.74 goals against average and .903 save percentage in four games (3-1-0) last season with the Anaheim Ducks. The veteran net minder has appeared in 62 career NHL games with Anaheim and Edmonton posting a 23-32-4 record, 3.24 goals-against average and .902 save percentage.
The New Guy: The Cyclones received a couple reinforcements from the Milwaukee Admirals this week. In addition to Taylor Aronson, forward Patrick Cehlin is in Cincinnati to play in his first ECHL game this season. While at the AHL level, the rookie posted 17 points in 45 games.
Half In / Half Out: Of the Cyclones 18 games left in the regular year, only half of them are divisional. Including tonight, Cincinnati has nine games against the North, five against the South, and three against the Atlantic.
Protect the “House”: With Brian Foster getting called up to San Antonio this week and Zoltan Hetenyi getting dealt, rookie Michael Houser assumes the starting role this weekend for Cincy. Collectively this season, he has posted a 7-5-0 record with a 2.77 goals-against average.
SEASON SERIES (9 TOTAL, 1 REMAINING)
Dec. 19 Cincinnati 4 at Fort Wayne 1 Final
Jan. 4 Cincinnati 4 at Fort Wayne 2 Final
Jan. 5 Fort Wayne 5 at Cincinnati 4 Final
Jan. 11 Fort Wayne 2 at Cincinnati 1 Final SO
Jan. 12 Cincinnati 5 at Fort Wayne 2 Final
Jan. 13 Cincinnati 2 at Fort Wayne 3 Final OT
Feb. 2 Cincinnati 2 at Fort Wayne 7 Final
Feb. 12 Fort Wayne 1 at Cincinnati 2 Final
Feb. 22 Cincinnati at Fort Wayne 8:00 pm EST
