For Immediate Release: January 30, 2016
Vs. Quad City Mallards (19-19-1-2, 41 PTS)
Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 7:35pm ET
U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
Overview: The Cyclones hit home ice for the fourth time in the last five games, as they welcome in the Quad City Mallards. The Cyclones are coming off of a 4-1 loss to the Ft. Wayne Komets on Friday night, snapping their two-game road and overall winning streaks.
Last Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (19-17-3-2) fell to the Ft. Wayne Komets, 4-1, on Friday night. Forward Jack Downing scored the lone goal for the Cyclones, who see their two-game winning streak snapped. Despite the final score, goaltender Andy Iles had another strong game in net for the Cyclones, stopping 25 of the 28 shots he faced. Defenseman Brett Wysopal extended his point streak to seven games with an assist.
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.
Previewing Quad City: The Mallards head to Cincinnati having dropped four straight, including a 6-5 decision to the Kalamazoo Wings on Friday night. They are led in scoring by forwards Matt Neal (12g, 10a) and Oliver Archambault (10g, 18a), who have each accounted for 28 points this season. Not far behind are a trio of defenseman in Mike Monfredo (4g, 20a), and Guillaume Gelinas (6g, 14a) and Austin Coldwell (6g, 14a), who each have 20 points.
Inside the Series: This is the fourth of nine meetings this season between the two sides, with Cincinnati posting a 1-1-0-1 record in the first three games.
Next Game Preview: The Cyclones are back on home ice on Wednesday night, when the Wheeling Nailers come to U.S. Bank Arena. This will be the second of four meetings this season, with the Nailers taking the first game, 7-5, back in November.
Yogan AHL Bound: Forward Andrew Yogan has been recalled to the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League. The Coral Springs, FL, native has been one of the Cyclones’ leading scorers in the months of December and January, accounting for 10 goals and 18 assists in 23 games since returning from his first AHL stint of the season with the Iowa Wild on December 1.
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 50-33-3-9 record with the Cyclones, and is only five games away from his 100th game as a head coach.
Back With a Vengeance: Defenseman Brett Wysopal has been on a tear since returning to the lineup on January 13, accounting for points in seven straight games (2g, 6a), including an assist in Friday’s 4-1 loss to the Ft. Wayne Komets. 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 last Saturday’s 6-4 win over the Ft. Wayne Komets, and the Calgary, AB, native has four goals and an assist over his last five 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.
Home Sweet Home: After starting 2016 off with eight of their first nine games on the road, the Cyclones will play five of their next seven, and nine of the next 14 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 31 games remaining on the regular season schedule, Cincinnati will be playing 23 of those against Midwest Division foes (Evansville, Ft. Wayne, Indy, Quad City). The Cyclones have compiled an 8-8-1-1 record against divisional opponents this season.
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!