For Immediate Release: January 23, 2016
Vs. Ft. Wayne Komets (23-11-2-0, 48 PTS)
Saturday, January 23, 2016 - 7:35pm ET
U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
Overview: The Cyclones wrap up their weekend series with the Ft. Wayne Komets on Saturday night. The Cyclones have two of the last three games. This is the third to three straight home games for the Cyclones against the Komets.
Last Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (17-16-3-2) fell to the Ft. Wayne Komets, 5-1, on Friday night. Forward Joe Wilson scored the lone goal for the Cyclones. Goaltender Andy Iles turned aside 28 of the 33 shots he faced in the loss for the Cyclones, who were outshot, 33-18, on the night.
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 Saturday’s game sitting atop the Midwest Division standings, having won five straight, and eight of their last nine overall. They are led by forward Mike Embach, who has totaled 36 points (15g, 21a) this season and forward Shawn Szydlowski (12g, 22a), both of whom recorded a pair of assists last night. Recently acquired forward Joe Perry (12g, 13a) rounds out the top three.
Inside the Series: This is the seventh of nine meetings this season, and the third of three straight home games for the Cyclones against Ft. Wayne. The Cyclones lead the season series, 3-2-1-0, over the Komets.
Next Game Preview: The Cyclones welcome the Indy Fuel into U.S. Bank Arena on Wednesday night, in the third of of 11 meetings between the two teams on the season. The Fuel have won both of the previous matchups, and 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 12 of the next 17 games at home. Cincinnati has posted a 10-4-1-2 record on home ice this season, and is averaging 2.78 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 34 games remaining on the regular season schedule, Cincinnati will be playing 26 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.
Racking up the Points: Forward Andrew Yogan saw his seven game point streak snapped in last night’s 5-1 loss to the Ft. Wayne Komets. Despite that, Yogan has been on of the top offensive threats for the Cyclones this season, putting up points in 16 of his 21 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!