CYCLONES GAME PREVIEW
Cincinnati Cyclones (23-20-1-4)
vs.
Evansville IceMen (12-32-4-2)
Click here for tonight's game note packet
DATE: Wednesday, February 18, 2015
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
Evansville IceMen: Ottawa Senators
NEXT HOME GAME (After Tonight)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21 - 7:30pm vs. READING
2ND ANNUAL FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA PRESENTED BY CINCINNATI BELL
Tonight's Matchup: After taking five of a possible six points this past weekend, the Cyclones are back on the ice at U.S. Bank Arena in hopes of extending the gap between themselves and tonight’s opponent - the struggling Evansville IceMen. Matt Macdonald’s team has taken six of the seven regular season meetings with three of them being in shutout fashion.
Tonight's Promotion: Wet Wednesday / Hipster Night - Fans 21+ can enjoy $1 Beer PLUS Instagram your nachos, PBR specials, and music from people you have never heard of!
Scouting the IceMen: Al Sims’ club has slumped into the basement of the North Division standings with losses in seven consecutive games and nine out of their last ten. As of tonight, they currently sit 17 points out of a potential playoff spot. Despite his dismal -12 rating, Brandon Wong is atop Evansville’s scoring leaderboard with 37 points (16g, 21a) in 48 games. Robin Soudek, who is now playing for his third team this year, ranks second on the club with 29 tallies (16g, 13a) in 40 games overall. Rookie goaltender Chris Driedger has been the workhorse in net this season for the IceMen; however, he’s been summoned on an emergency basis by the NHL’s Ottawa Senators.
Last Time Out: Frederick Gaudreau potted the game-winning goal as part of a three-point night to lift the Cyclones over the Walleye by a 3-2 final score in front of 3,153 at U.S. Bank Arena. Cincinnati held Toledo to just 22 shots on goal, the Walleye’s lowest total in their last six games.
Shooting Shutdown: Cincinnati continues to stifle teams in the shots on goal department this year. They are allowing an average of 26.5 shots per game, the second-fewest in the entire ECHL. The Clones haven’t allowed their opponent to reach the 30-shot plateau in eight consecutive games.
Career Year: Cyclones defenseman Chris Reed continues to have his best season on his career. He has enjoyed a personal best in goals (7) and remains the second-best scoring rear guard on the Cyclones. Tonight, the former Ohio State Buckeye will tie Dan Eves for sixth on the club’s all-time games played list (196).
Season Series at a Glance (11 games - 8 home, 3 away - 4 remaining):
Cincinnati's 2014-15 Record vs. Evansville: 6-1-0-0
Nov 21 Evansville 0 at Cincinnati 4 Final
Nov 26 Evansville 5 at Cincinnati 3 Final
Dec 29 Evansville 2 at Cincinnati 5 Final
Jan 14 Evansville 0 at Cincinnati 4 Final
Jan 17 Cincinnati 4 at Evansville 3 Final
Jan 19 Cincinnati 4 at Evansville 3 Final OT
Jan 23 Evansville 0 at Cincinnati 4 Final
Feb 18 Evansville at Cincinnati 7:30pm EST
Feb 28 Cincinnati at Evansville 8:15pm EST
Mar 27 Evansville at Cincinnati 7:30pm EDT
Apr 4 Evansville at Cincinnati 7:30pm EDT