For Immediate Release: January 6, 2016
Game 31 (Road Game 16)
Vs. Atlanta Gladiators (19-11-2-0)
Wednesday, January 6, 2016 - 7:05pm ET
Infinite Energy Arena- Duluth, GA
Overview: The five-game road trip continues for the Cincinnati Cyclones on Wednesday night in Atlanta. Cincinnati is coming off of a 4-2 win over the South Carolina Stingrays on Sunday, marking just their third win in the team’s last nine games.
Sunday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones Sunday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (15-11-2-2) collected a 4-2 win over the South Carolina Stingrays on Sunday afternoon. Forwards Zach Budish, Nick Huard and Andrew Yogan, and defenseman Cody Carlson scored the goals for the Cyclones, who snap their brief two-game road-losing streak. Cyclones goaltender Brandon Whitney was stellar in goal, coming up with a number of spectacular saves, including a stop on a 2-on-0 shorthanded breakaway in the second period. Overall, he stopped 43 of the 45 shots he faced, earning his sixth win as a Cyclone. The Cyclones were out shot, 43-27, while the power play was held scoreless on all three chances.
Thursday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (14-10-2-2) earned a 4-0 win over the Toledo Walleye on Thursday night. Forwards Nick Huard, Jack Downing, Zach Budish, and Christiaan Minella scored the goals for the Cyclones, while goaltender Brad Thiessen collected Cincinnati’s first shutout of the season. Thiessen was perfect in net, stopping all 18 shots he faced to collect his first shutout of his Cyclones career. Cincinnati outshot Toledo, 23-18 on the night, while the power play went 1-for-6.
Previewing Atlanta: The Stingrays Gladiators have won three of their last four games, however are coming off of a 3-2 loss to the Norfolk Admirals on Saturday night. The Gladiators saw some pretty good success in the month of December, and have seen it carry over into January, posting a 9-3-1-0 record over their last 13 games. They are led in scoring by forward Derek Nesbitt, who ranks tenth in League scoring with 17 goals and 13 assists through 32 games played. He is followed by a pair of 22-point scorers in forwards Garry Nunn and Thomas Frazee, who have accounted for five goals and 17 assists each.
Inside the Series: This is the first of two meetings on the season between the Cyclones and Gladiators, with the second coming in Cincinnati on February 24. The Cyclones won the lone meeting between the two sides last season, and hold an 8-6-0-0 edge in the all-time series.
Next Game Preview: The Cyclones head to Norfolk on Friday night, in the first of two meetings this season with the Admirals. Friday also marks the first all-time meeting between Cincinnati and Norfolk, as the Admirals came to the ECHL this past summer, as a part of the ECHL/AHL realignment.
Weekend of Call-Ups: The Cyclones saw three players get called up to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliates over the weekend, including defenseman Jonathan Diaby, who was recalled by the Milwaukee Admirals, and forward Peter Quenneville and goaltender Brad Thiessen, who were each recalled by the Lake Erie Monsters.
Holding the Lead: Sunday’s 4-2 win over the South Carolina Stingrays marked the 13th win for the Cyclones this season when leading after two periods. The Cyclones are now 13-2-0-0 when leading after 40 minutes.
Shorthanded Advantage: Forward Andrew Yogan scored his team-leading second shorthanded goal in Sunday’s 4-2 win over South Carolina. He is now tied for second in the League in that category.
The Road Ahead: The Cyclones are in the middle of their season-long five-game road trip, with games remaining against Atlanta and Norfolk. The road hasn’t been too kind to Cincinnati this season, as the Cyclones have compiled a 5-9-1-0 record away from U.S. Bank Arena. Despite the struggles on the road, the Cyclones are averaging 3.2 goals per game in road contests.
Cyclones Add Two: Late last week, the Cyclones signed forward Connor Toomey, and defenseman Jeremy Gates. Toomey, a rookie from Billerica, MA, made his Cyclones debut in Friday’s 4-0 win over the Toledo Walleye. He appeared in 20 games with the Macon Mayhem and Peoria Rivermen of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), accounting for six goals and 14 assists between the two teams. Gates also comes from the SPHL, skating in 21 games for the Pensacola Ice Flyers, accounting for four goals and 12 assists in that time. A native of Jackson, MI, Gates has seen time in the ECHL before, spending parts of the last three seasons with the Fort Wayne Komets and Rapid City Rush. In 68 career ECHL games, the 28-year-old rearguard has accounted for three goals and 16 assists, along with 19 penalty minutes.
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!