For Immediate Release: January 22, 2016
Vs. Ft. Wayne Komets (22-11-2-0, 46 PTS)
Friday, January 22, 2016 - 7:35pm ET
U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
Overview: The Cyclones return home for a pair of games against the Ft. Wayne Komets, beginning on Friday. Cincinnati took 2-of-3 from the Allen Americans last weekend, and have now won two in a row, after dropping five straight.
Monday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (17-15-3-2) collected a 4-3 overtime win over the Allen Americans on Monday afternoon. Forwards Nick Huard, Zach Budish, Tommy Mele, and Branden Gracel netted the goals for the Cyclones, who earn their second straight win. The Cyclones outshot Allen, 31-20, while the power play converted at a 25% clip.
Sunday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (16-15-3-2) collected a 4-3 shootout win over the Allen Americans on Sunday night. Defenseman Brett Wysopal, and forwards Joe Wilson and Jack Downing scored the goals for the Cyclones, who snap their five-game winless streak. The Cyclones outshot Allen, 30-29, with goaltender Andy Iles stopping 26 to earn his first win as a Cyclone. The power play was held scoreless on all five chances.
Saturday 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.
Previewing Ft. Wayne: The Komets enter Friday’s game sitting atop the Midwest Division standings, having won four straight, and seven of their last eight overall. They are led by forward Mike Embach, who has totaled 34 points (15g, 19a) this season, followed by Shawn Szydlowski (15g, 19a), and recently-acquired Joe Perry (11g, 13a), who round out the top three.
Inside the Series: This is the sixth of nine meetings this season, and the second of three straight home games for the Cyclones against Ft. Wayne. The Cyclones lead the season series, 3-1-1-0, over the Komets, however Ft. Wayne is coming off of a 4-1 win over Cincinnati back on January 13.
Next Game Preview: The Cyclones wrap up their weekend series with the Komets on Saturday night at U.S. Bank Arena. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:35pm ET.
Home Sweet Home: After starting 2016 off with eight of their first nine games on the road, the Cyclones will play 13 of the next 18 games at home. Cincinnati has posted a 10-3-1-2 record on home ice this season, and is averaging 2.81 goals per game in home contests.
Familiar Foes: The Cyclones are preparing for a lot of games in division over the last half of the season. With 35 games remaining on the regular season schedule, Cincinnati will be playing 27 of those against Midwest Division foes (Evansville, Ft. Wayne, Indy, Quad City). The Cyclones have compiled a 6-6-1-1 record against divisional opponents this season.
First As A Cyclone: This past weekend’s series against the Allen Americans saw a couple of firsts for the Cyclones. Goaltender Andy Iles recorded his first two wins as a Cyclone, stopping 26 shots in Sunday’s 4-3 shootout win over Allen, before turning out a 17-save performance in Monday’s 4-3 overtime win over the Americans. In two games with the Cyclones, Iles has a 2.83 goal-against average and .877 save percentage. Additionally, forward Tommy Mele tallied his first goal as a Cyclone in Monday’s 4-3 overtime win over the Americans, and now has 11 goals and 10 assists through 39 games played.
Streaky Behavior: With an assist in Monday’s 4-3 overtime win over Allen, forward Andrew Yogan extended his point streak to seven games. He has accounted for three goals and seven assists over that time, and has points in 16 of his 20 games played since December 1 (8g, 16a).
HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!: Forward Jack Downing scored his 18th goal of the season in Sunday’s 4-3 shootout win over Allen, and is now second in the League in goals scored. His goal came with 12.7 seconds left in regulation, and he also scored the lone goal in the shootout to propel the Cyclones to victory.
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.
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!