For Immediate Release: February 13, 2016
Vs. Evansville IceMen (18-22-4-1, 41 PTS)
Saturday, February 13, 2016 - 7:35pm ET
U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
Overview: The Cyclones wrap up their three-game homestand on Saturday night against the Evansville IceMen. Cincinnati is coming off of a 6-5 win over the FT. Wayne Komets on Friday night, and they now sit in sole possession of second place in the ECHL’s Midwest Division.
Last Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (23-19-3-2) earned a 6-5 win over the Ft. Wayne Komets on Friday night. Forward Nick Huard tallied a pair of goals, while forwards Mike Hammond, Jack Downing, and Tommy Mele, along with defenseman Brett Wysopal added lone markers for the Cyclones. The Cyclones outshot the Komets, 37-29 on the night, with goaltender Brandon Whitney turning aside 24 to collect the win. Cincinnati’s power play was a deciding factor in the game, converting on three-of-seven chances.
Wednesday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (22-19-3-2) earned a 4-1 win over the Kalamazoo Wings on Wednesday night. Forward Zach Budish collected a pair of goals, while defensemen Andrew Blazek and Garrett Noonan each added lone tallies for the Cyclones. . The Cyclones outshot the Wings, 34-23 on the night, with goaltender Andy Iles stopping 22 to collect his fifth win as a Cyclone.
Last Saturday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (21-19-3-1) fell to the Indy Fuel, 2-1, on Saturday night. Forward Andrew Yogan scored the lone goal for the Cyclones. Cincinnati outshot the Fuel, 30-28, with goaltender Andy Iles stopping 26 in the loss.
Previewing Evansville: The IceMen enter Saturday night winners of their last three straight, including a 4-3 win over the Kalamazoo Wings last night. Forward Nathan Moon leads the way with 33 points (10g, 23a), followed by forward Daultan Leveille (17g, 13a), and forward Tyson Fawcett (17g, 11a) who round out the top three.
Inside the Series: Saturday is the fifth of nine meetings between the two sides this season, with each team winning two of the first four games. It is also the front end of a home-and-home that will conclude on Sunday night in Evansville.
Next Game Preview: The Cyclones wrap up their three-game weekend, and home-and-home series with the IceMen on Sunday evening in Evansville.
Milestone for Budish: With an assist in Friday’s 6-5 win over the Ft. Wayne Komets, forward Zach Budish now has 100 points for his pro hockey career. Since turning pro in 2013, the 2009, second round NHL Draft pick of the Nashville Predators has appeared in 187 games with the Cyclones and Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL), accounting for 38 goals and 52 assists. He had a pair of goals and two assists in Wednesday’s 4-1 win over the Kalamazoo Wings, setting a season-high for points in a game. It marked his 10th multi-point effort of the season, and snapped a three-game point drought.
League Leader: With a goal in last night’s 6-5 win over the Ft. Wayne Komets, forward Jack Downing now leads the ECHL with 23 goals on the season. Downing has been amongst the top scorers on the Cyclones all season long, tallying points in six of his last nine games (5g, 1a), and he is second on the team with 38 points (23g, 15a).
Cyclones Acquire Binkley and Mulvey: The Cincinnati Cyclones acquired defenseman Jason Binkley from the Utah Grizzlies in exchange for future considerations, and forward Colin Mulvey from the South Carolina Stingrays in exchange for future considerations. Binkley appeared in 43 games with the Grizzlies this season, accounting for a goal and six assists, along with 19 penalty minutes. Currently in his second professional season, the 5’9”, 196-pound defenseman spent seven games with the South Carolina Stingrays at the end of last season, totaling a goal and an assist. Mulvey returns for his second-career stint with the Cyclones, after appearing in 37 games with the South Carolina Stingrays this season. The Worcester, MA, native ranked sixth on the Stingrays in scoring, accounting for 11 goals and 11 assists, and he was fourth on the team with a plus-10 on-ice rating. He spent last season with the Erding Gladiators in Germany, where he totaled 52 points (29g, 23a) in 40 games played, and split the 2013-2014 season between the Wheeling Nailers and the Cyclones, skating in 38 games overall, including seven in Cincinnati where he recorded a pair of goals and three assists.
And Down the Stretch They Come!: Last night’s 6-5 win over Ft. Wayne marked the 18th time this season that Cincinnati has won a game when leading after two periods. The Cyclones are 18-1-0-0 when leading heading into the third period, and are a perfect 14-0-0-0 at home when leading through 40 minutes.
Blazing a Trail: Defenseman Andrew Blazek recorded a goal and an assist in Wednesday’s 4-1 win over the Kalamazoo Wings, marking the first multi-point game of his career. The goal marked his first as a Cyclone, and his assist in the first period marked his first point of the season.
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!
