vs.
ORLANDO SOLAR BEARS (27-33-3-4)
Click here for today's game note packet
DATE: Sunday, March 24, 2013
TIME: 3:00pm ET
SITE: Amway Center - Orlando, FL
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)
RADIO: FM 100 The FAN (100.3 FM)
NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Orlando Solar Bears: Minnesota Wild
NEXT HOME GAME
Friday, March 29 vs. Evansville - 7:30pm
CINCINNATI'S LARGEST FISH FRY
TODAY'S MATCHUP: The Cyclones will close out their 2012-13 road slate today with their only visit to Orlando this season. Cincinnati earned a 4-0 shutout over the Solar Bears in the one previous meeting back in January. As old IHL foes, the Cyclones earned a combined record of 19-23-4 against Orlando (not including playoffs). And because of Reading’s win last night over Toledo, Jarrod Skalde’s team has locked themselves into the number two seed in the Eastern Conference.
SCOUTING THE SOLAR BEARS: Drake Berehowsky’s club has already been eliminated from postseason contention after having dropped eight of their last nine games. Former Cyclone Matt Sisca is leading the Solar Bears in scoring - posting 48 points (15 goals, 33 assists) in 59 games. Ryan Cruthers has also posed an offensive threat with 41 tallies in 66 contests. There’s been a goaltending carousel this season for Orlando with Patrick Killeen taking over the bulk of the workload. The former Wheeling Nailer is 9-12-3-4 this season with a 3.35 goals against average.
Playing Positive: Cyclones rear guard Chris Reed has been a beacon of stability on the blue line this season, accumulating a +27 plus/minus rating - the second best among all ECHL players this season. Mathieu Aubin took home the Plus Performer of the Year a season ago with a +28 season rating. Reed is on pace to rank in the Cyclone All-Time Top 5 for a single season plus/minus mark.
Protecting His House: Cyclones rookie goaltender Michael Houser has been one of the ECHL’s best goaltenders of late. He has gone 10-3-1-1 in his last 15 starts and ranks 6th among all active league goaltenders with a 2.49 goals-against average.
Eastern Conference Playoff Race: As of today, here’s how things shape up in the “East.” The top eight teams earn Kelly Cup Playoff bids
Seed--Team--Games Left--Pts
XY 1--REA--3--96
XY 2--CIN--3--90
X 3--GWT--1--87
X 4--ELM--4--83
X 5--FLA--4--81
6--GRN--3--80
X 7--SC--2--80
8--TOL--3--79
================
9--KAL--4--72
10--WHL--4--69
(X = clinched playoff spot / Y = clinched division title)
SEASON SERIES (2 TOTAL, 1 REMAINING)
Jan. 9 Orlando 0 at Cincinnati 4 Final
Mar. 24 Cincinnati at Orlando 3:00pm EDT