Cincinnati Cyclones (26-25-1-5)
vs.
Fort Wayne Komets (38-13-2-4)
Click here for tonight's game note packet
DATE: Saturday, March 14, 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
Fort Wayne Komets: Colorado Avalanche
NEXT HOME GAME (After Tonight)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 - 7:30pm vs. SOUTH CAROLINA
SUPERHERO NIGHT
Tonight's Matchup: With the division race as tight as ever, the Cyclones welcome in the Fort Wayne Komets tonight for the first time since early December in hopes two big points. The Komets took both of the previous two meetings with Cincinnati this season via the shootout. All-time as ECHL rivals, the Cyclones own a 8-6-2-3 record against their Hoosier State foes.
Scouting the Komets: Gary Graham’s club is currently entangled in a fierce battle for the top spot in the North Division. After last night’s overtime win against Toledo, the Komets own a 38-13-2-4 record and hold a slim two point edge over the Walleye. Former Cyclones forward Mike Embach is the club’s leading scorer, with 56 points (20g, 36a) in 54 games this season. Shawn Szydlowski has been impressive on offense as well, collecting 51 tallies (25g, 26a) in 43 contests. Mark Guggenberger, who was acquired by the Komets at the trade deadline, has the most games of any active Komets goaltender; after winning his Fort Wayne debut last night, he owns a 7-12-1-1 with a 3.34 goals-against average. Rookie Roman Will has been solid as well between the Fort Wayne pipes, going 10-6-1-3 with a 2.55 GAA. Kevin Murdock, who has three ECHL games under his belt this year, is 1-2 with a 5.02 GAA.
Last Time Out: A third period goal by Brock Montgomery proved to be the game-winner as the Solar Bears held on to beat the Cyclones by a 3-2 final score in front of 4,447 at U.S. Bank Arena last night.
First Period Tells the Tale: Setting the tempo early into games this season has proved very important for the Cyclones. They are 19-8-1-1 when scoring the game’s first goal and are 23-10-1-3 when either leading or being tied after 20 minutes.
The Closer: Cyclones rookie forward Joe Basaraba has surged to the team lead with five game-winning goals this season. He needs just two more such tallies to tie Josh Shalla’s single-season high of seven from the 2012-13 campaign. Basaraba currently ranks second among all ECHL first-year players in that category.
Season Series at a Glance (7 games - 4 home, 3 away - 5 remaining):
Cincinnati's 2014-15 Record vs. Fort Wayne: 0-0-0-2
Nov 15 Fort Wayne 5 at Cincinnati 4 Final SO
Dec 5 Fort Wayne 3 at Cincinnati 2 Final SO
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
