For Immediate Release: January 17, 2016
Vs. Allen Americans (21-14-1-0, 43PTS)
Sunday, January 17, 2016 - 5:05pm ET
Allen Events Center - Allen, TX
Overview: The Cyclones continue their three-game trip on Sunday afternoon against the defending ECHL Kelly Cup Champion Allen Americans. Cincinnati dropped the first game of the weekend series on Saturday night, 3-2.
Last Night Recap: Cincinnati Cyclones (15-15-3-2) fell to the Allen Americans, 3-2, on Saturday night. Forwards Andrew Yogan and Jack Downing scored the goals for the Cyclones. The Cyclones outshot the Americans, 27-15, while the power play converted on one of six chances.
Wednesday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (15-14-3-2) fell to the Ft. Wayne Komets, 4-1, on Wednesday night. Forward Zach Budish scored the lone goal for Cincinnati. The Cyclones were outshot, 39-31 on the night, while the power play was scoreless on all five chances.
Last Saturday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (15-13-3-2) dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the Norfolk Admirals on Saturday night. Forward Jack Downing scored both goals for the Cyclones, who wrap up their season-long, five-game road trip. The Cyclones outshot Norfolk, 38-37 on the night, while the power play converted on 1-of-6 chances.
Last Friday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (15-13-2-2) fell to the Norfolk Admirals, 3-1, on Friday night. Forward Andrew Yogan scored the lone goal for the Cyclones. Goaltender Brandon Whitney had a solid night in goal, stopping 28 of the 30 shots he faced. The Cyclones were outshot, 31-24 on the night, while the power play was held scoreless on all four chances.
Previewing Allen: The defending ECHL Kelly Cup champions enter Sunday’s game winners of five of their last seven contests, including two in a row. The Americans currently sit in second place in the ECHL’s Central Division, and are fourth in the Western Conference playoff standings. League scoring leader Chad Costello paces the Americans, totaling 50 points (14g, 36a) in 36 games played. He is followed by forwards Jonathan Parker (9g, 13a), and Gary Steffes (10g, 9a), who round out the top three.
Inside the Series: This is the second of three meetings this season, and the second all-time meeting between the Cyclones and Americans, who came to the ECHL as a part of the ECHL/CHL merger last season. With the win last night, Allen leads the all-time series, 1-0-0-0.
Next Game Preview: The three game series concludes on Monday afternoon in Allen, with a Martin Luther King Jr. Day Game. Faceoff scheduled for 2:05pm ET.
Streaky Behavior: With a goal and an assists in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Allen, forward Andrew Yogan extended his point streak to five games. He has accounted for three goals and five assists over that time, and has points in 14 of his 18 games played since December 1 (8g, 14a).
HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!: Forward Jack Downing scored his 17th goal of the season in last night’s 3-2 loss to the Allen Americans, and is now tied for second in the League in goals scored.
Cyclones Acquire Blazek, Mele: The Cincinnati Cyclones have acquired defenseman Andrew Blazek and forward Tommy Mele from the Norfolk Admirals, in exchange for defenseman Mike Ratchuk. Blazek returns for his second stint in Cincinnati, after skating in 16 games this season between the Admirals and Wichita Thunder. The Pittsburgh, PA native played in 18 games for the Cyclones during the 2013-14, and 2014-15 seasons, accounting for five assists and two minutes in penalties. Blazek has also seen time with the South Carolina Stingrays and the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League (AHL). In 46 games as a professional, the 27-year-old has totaled a pair of goals and eight assists. A native of Bronx, NY, Mele has accounted for 10 goals and 10 assists through 37 games with the Admirals this season, tying him for fourth on the team in scoring. He has also registered 97 minutes in penalties. This is Mele’s sixth professional season, having see time with the ECHL’s Alaska Aces and Tulsa Oilers, the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Oklahoma City Barons, and the Ft. Wayne Komets when they were a member of the Central Hockey League (CHL). In 251 career games as a professional, Mele has totaled 59 goals and 54 assists, along with 292 penalty minutes.
Cyclones Claim Iles off Waivers: Last weekend, the Cyclones claimed netminder Andy Iles off of waivers from the Kalamazoo Wings. The 23-year-old has appeared in 13 games this season, splitting time between the Brampton Beast and Atlanta Gladiators. He has posted a 3-3-1 record, along with a 2.38 goals against average, and a 0.892 save percentage this season. A native of Ithaca New York, Iles is in his second full professional season, having seen time last season with the Florida Everblades and the Alaska Aces, after starting his pro career in 2013-14 with the Everblades. Iles played college hockey at Cornell University, appearing in 118 career games. In four seasons with the Big Red, he posted a 58-42-17 record with nine shutouts, a 2.26 goals-against-average and .917 save percentage. He broke Ben Scrivens’ all-time program record for saves (2,962), and made 80 consecutive starts in net for Cornell, the fifth longest streak in NCAA (Division I) history. Internationally, Iles represented the U.S. (Under-20) Team at the World Junior Championships in 2010-11, helping the Americans to a Bronze Medal.
Downing, Whitney named to Fantasy Team: The ECHL League Office has announced the winner from each team on the 2015-16 ECHL Fantasy Team, presented by The MeiGray Group, as well as the goaltenders who will be participating for each of the League’s 28 teams in the Golden Goalie Program. Amongst the participants are Cyclones forward Jack Downing, and goaltender Brandon Whitney. Fans had the opportunity to vote for one player on each team, and that player will wear a special Fantasy Team jersey at an upcoming home game. A goaltender from each team was also selected, and he too will wear a specially-designed jersey at an upcoming home game.
The 2015-2016 season is underway! Your Cyclones are on the march towards another Kelly Cup Championship, and want you along for the ride! Be sure to check out one of our 2015-16 Ticket Packages, available NOW! Call 513.421.PUCK to reserve your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), Instagram, and our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
