Cincinnati Cyclones (4-3-0-1)
vs.
Fort Wayne Komets (9-2-0-0)
Click here for tonight's game note packet
DATE: Saturday, November 15, 2014
TIME: 7:30pm ET
SITE: U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
BROADCAST: Cyclones Radio Network, ECHL.TV
NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Fort Wayne Komets: Colorado Avalanche
NEXT HOME GAME (After Tonight)
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 - 10:30am vs. ORLANDO
EDUCATION IN HOCKEY DAY
Tonight's Matchup: Tonight the Cyclones will host their second straight playoff rematch as they welcome in the Fort Wayne Komets to U.S. Bank Arena for the opener of a seven-game season series. Cincinnati battled past their Hoosier State rivals in a six-game Eastern Conference Semifinals series last spring after a 3-4-1 regular season record. The all-time series has been equally as close, with the Cyclones owning an 8-6-2-1 mark.
Tonight's Promotion: Star Wars Night - The Cyclones will wear special "R2-D2" jerseys that get auctioned off after the game to benefit Most Valuable Kids. Plus, the first 1,500 fans ages 2-12 receive a Cyclones Lightsaber!
Scouting the Komets: Despite its loss last night in Toledo, Gary Graham’s club has been as hot as any team in the ECHL to start the season, with wins in of nine out of their first 11 games. Mitchell Heard is atop the Komets in scoring with 14 points thus far, eight of them coming as goals. Former Cyclone Mike Embach remains one of their most consistent offensive players as well; through 11 games, he’s earned three goals and seven assists. Pat Nagle has shouldered the bulk of the goaltending load in 2014-15, appearing in seven games and amassing an 6-1-0 record with a solid goals-against average of 2.24. Fellow goalie Sami Aittokallio, meanwhile, has gone 2-1 with a 5.33 GAA.
Last Time Out: Greg Miller enjoyed a three-point night to lift the Solar Bears over the Cyclones by a 4-3 final score in front of 2,339 at U.S. Bank Arena. Cyclones defenseman Josh McFadden earned a multi-point game with a goal and an assist while Geoff Irwin and Michael Neal also lit the lamp for Cincinnati in a losing effort.
Middle Period Muster: Taking a page from last year’s playbook, the Cyclones have seen their best offensive success in the second period of games this season. Through eight games, 10 of the club’s 26 goals have come in the middle stanza.
Spreading the Wealth: Of the Cyclones four wins, they have had a different game-winning goal scorer each time. More impressively, 14 players on the club’s active roster have notched at least one point this season.
Road Warriors: This week the Cyclones will look to enjoy as much success at U.S. Bank Arena as they have on the road. Cincy is one of just two Eastern Conference teams to remain unbeaten in regulation away from home. In fact, out of the 27 other teams, just two share the same feat.
Season Series at a Glance (7 games - 4 home, 3 away):
Nov 15 Fort Wayne at Cincinnati 7:30pm EST
Dec 5 Fort Wayne at Cincinnati 7:30pm EST
Mar 14 Fort Wayne at Cincinnati 7:30pm EDT
Mar 15 Cincinnati at Fort Wayne 5:00pm EDT
Mar 28 Fort Wayne at Cincinnati 7:30pm EDT
Apr 8 Cincinnati at Fort Wayne 7:30pm EDT
Apr 11 Cincinnati at Fort Wayne 7:30pm EDT
