For Immediate Release: January 29, 2016
Vs. Ft. Wayne Komets (23-13-2-0, 48 PTS)
Friday, January 29, 2016 - 8:00pm ET
War Memorial Coliseum - Ft. Wayne, IN
Overview: The Cyclones head back on the road on Friday night to take on the Division-leading Ft. Wayne Komets. After dropping five straight, Cincinnati has won four of its last five games, and currently hold sole possession of third place in the Central Division, and are in seventh in the Western Conference playoff standings.
Wednesday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (19-16-3-2) took down the Indy Fuel, 3-1, on Wednesday night. Defenseman Brett Wysopal, and forwards Branden Gracel and Jack Downing scored the goals for the Cyclones, who have won four of their last five games. Cyclones netminder Andy Iles turned aside 24 of the 25 shots he faced, and Cincinnati outshot the Fuel, 26-25, on the night, while the power play was held scoreless on all three chances.
Saturday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (18-16-3-2) took down the Ft. Wayne Komets, 6-4, on Saturday night at U.S. Bank Arena. Forwards Branden Gracel and Andrew Yogan each accounted for a pair of goals and an assist, while forwards Zach Budish and Tommy Mele each added lone tallies for the Cyclones, who tie a season high with six goals in a home game. The Cyclones outshot the Komets, 34-27 on the night, with goaltender Brandon Whitney turning aside 23 to collect the win.
Last Friday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (17-16-3-2) fell to the Ft. Wayne Komets, 5-1, on last 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.
Previewing Ft. Wayne: The Komets have dropped their last two, after winning eight of their previous nine games. They are led by former Cyclone Mike Embach, who has accounted for 37 points (16g, 21a) in 38 games this season. He is followed by forwards Shawn Szydlowski (13g, 23a), and Joe Perry (11g, 19a). Szydlowski tallied four points (1g, 3a) in last weekend’s split with the Cyclones, while Embach accounted for a pair of goals and an assist.
Inside the Series: This is the eighth of 10 meetings this season, and marks the fourth meeting in the last eight games overall for the Cyclones against Ft. Wayne. The Cyclones lead the season series, 4-2-1-0, over the Komets. Cincinnati has won both of the meetings this season in Ft. Wayne, outscoring the Komets, 10-2, on their home ice
Next Game Preview: The Cyclones return home for a Saturday evening affair with the Quad City Mallards. Saturday marks the fourth of nine meetings between the two sides, with Cincinnati posting a 1-1-0-1 record in the first three games.
50th Win for MacDonald: Wednesday’s 3-1 win over the Indy Fuel marked the 50th career head coaching victory for Cyclones head coach Matt MacDonald. Currently in his second season as Cincinnati’s bench boss, MacDonald has compiled a 50-32-3-9 record with the Cyclones, and is only six games away from his 100th game as a head coach.
Home Sweet Home: After starting 2016 off with eight of their first nine games on the road, the Cyclones will play six of their next eight, and 10 of the next 15 games at home. Cincinnati has posted an 12-4-1-2 record on home ice this season, and is averaging 2.89 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 32 games remaining on the regular season schedule, Cincinnati will be playing 24 of those against Midwest Division foes (Evansville, Ft. Wayne, Indy, Quad City). The Cyclones have compiled an 8-7-1-1 record against divisional opponents this season.
Back With a Vengeance: Defenseman Brett Wysopal has been on a tear since returning to the lineup on January 13, accounting for points in six straight games (2g, 5a), including a goal and an assist in Wednesday’s 3-1 win over the Indy Fuel. Wysopal had been out of the lineup since November 4 with an injury.
Amazing Grace: Forward Branden Gracel continued his torrid pace in the last two weeks, registering a goal in Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Indy. Gracel accounted for a pair of goals and an assist in Saturday’s 6-4 win over the Ft. Wayne Komets, and the Calgary, AB, native has four goals and an assist over his last four games, including the game-winner in last Monday’s 4-3 overtime win over the Allen Americans. He had been held off the scoresheet in five straight.
Racking up the Points: Forward Andrew Yogan continued his stellar month on January on Wednesday, dishing out an assist in Wednesday’s 3-1 win over the Fuel. This came after Saturday’s monster game where he accounted for a pair of goals and an assist in Cincinnati’s 6-4 win over the Ft. Wayne Komets. Yogan has points in all but two games this month, totaling five goals and nine assists in 12 games.
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!
