For Immediate Release: February 19, 2016
Vs. Quad City Mallards (23-21-3-2, 51PTS)
Friday, February 19, 2016 - 8:05pm ET
iWireless Center - Moline, IL
Overview: The Cyclones continue their three-game road trip on Friday night against the Quad City Mallards. Cincinnati is coming off of a 4-3 overtime win over the Evansville IceMen on Sunday, and is currently riding a season-long four-game winning streak.
Sunday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (25-19-3-2) picked up a 4-3 overtime win over the Evansville IceMen on Sunday evening. Forwards Nick Huard, Zach Budish, and Peter Quenneville scored the goals in regulation, while forward Tommy Mele recorded the game winner in overtime for the Cyclones. The Cyclones outshot Evansville, 45-37 on the night, including a combined 23-9 in the third period and overtime. Cyclones netminder Andy Iles stopped 34 shots he faced, while the power play converted on two of three chances.
Saturday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (24-19-3-2) collected their third straight win, with a 2-0 victory over the Evansville IceMen on Saturday night. Forwards Nick Huard and Zach Budish scored the goals for the Cyclones, while netminder Andy Iles earned his first shutout of the season. Cincinnati outshot Evansville, 35-31 on the night, and neither team recorded a penalty in the game, marking the lowest-combined penalty total for the Cyclones this season.
Friday 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.
Previewing Quad City: The Mallards have won two straight, and four of their last six overall. They are coming off of a 2-1 shootout win over the Wichita Thunder on Tuesday, and Friday’s game marks the beginning of a seven-game homestand for Quad City. They are led by forward Matt Neal, who has totaled 32 points (12g, 20a) through 49 games this season. He is followed by forwards Olivier Archambault (10g, 18a), and Mike Monfredo (5g, 22a) who round out the top three.
Inside the Series: Friday will be the fifth of 11 matchups this season between Cincinnati and Quad City, with the Cyclones holding a 2-1-1-0 edge in the first four meetings. Cincinnati dropped the lone meeting in Quad City, 2-1 on November 28, and five of the final seven meetings this season will be played in Quad City.
Next Game Preview: The Cyclones wrap up their three-game road trip, and weekend series with the Mallards on Saturday night. Faceoff is scheduled for 8:05pm ET.
Noonan Named ECHL Player of the Week: The ECHL has announced that Cyclones defenseman Garrett Noonan has been named the Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week, for the week of February 8-14. Noonan recorded a pair of goals and dished out five assists over four games last week, helping Cincinnati to a four-game winning streak. Noonan is just the Fourth defenseman since the 2010-11 season to be selected as League Player of the Week. A native of Norfolk, MA, Noonan kicked off his monster week with back-to-back two-point performances, recording a goal and an assist in Cincinnati’s 4-1 win over the Kalamazoo Wings on Wednesday, and adding a power play goal and an assist on the game-winning tally in the Cyclones’ 6-5 win over the Ft. Wayne Komets on Friday. He then dished out an assist in Saturday’s 2-0 win over the Evansville IceMen, and added two more helpers in Sunday’s 4-3 overtime win over Evansville, including one on the game-winning tally. On behalf of Noonan, a case of pucks will be donated to a Cincinnati youth hockey organization by Sher-Wood Hockey; the exclusive puck supplier of the ECHL. Since beginning its sponsorship of the award in 2000-01, Sher-Wood Hockey has donated more than 33,000 pucks to youth hockey organizations in ECHL cities.
McFarland Makes NHL Debut: Former Cyclones forward John McFarland made his National Hockey League (NHL) debut on Saturday night with the Florida Panthers, in their 5-0 loss to the Nashville Predators. McFarland logged 8:41 of ice time, while dishing out a pair of hits and two blocks. A native of Richmond Hill, ONT, McFarland spent parts of the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons with the Cyclones, appearing in 43 games and recording 20 goals and 18 assists. The 23-year-old was a pivotal part in Cincinnati’s run to the 2014 Kelly Cup Finals, accounting for nine points (4g, 5a) in 12 playoff games that season. Drafted by the Florida Panthers in the second round (#33 overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, McFarland spent the first 43 games this season with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League (AHL), accounting for 14 goals and eight assists, along with 22 penalty minutes. Since turning pro in 2013, McFarland has appeared in 221 games between the Cyclones, Pirates, and the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage, recording 59 goals and 58 assists, for 117 points. McFarland joins Byron Froese and Logan Shaw as former Cyclones to make their NHL debut this season.
Power Surge: The Cyclones’ power play has played a deciding factor on their current four-game winning streak, converting on 44.4% (8/18) of man-advantage opportunities in those contests, including goals on five of the last 10 chances. Cincinnati is currently 13th in the ECHL with a 17.2 power play percentage (32/186).
Hot Hand Huard: Forward Nick Huard extended his point streak to four games, with a goal and an assist in Sunday’s 4-3 overtime win over the Evansville IceMen. He has all four of his goals in his last three games, including the game winner in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Evansville. He is currently ninth in ECHL rookie scoring, accounting for 36 points (15g, 21a).
‘O’ From the ‘D’: Defenseman Garrett Noonan is currently riding a four-game point streak, accounting for a pair of goals and five assists in that span. He has recorded nine points (2g, 7a) over his last six games played, and currently 14th in League defenseman scoring with 26 points (5g, 21a).
Milestone for Budish: Zach Budish recorded an assist in Friday’s 6-5 win over the Ft. Wayne Komets, marking his 100th point of his pro hockey career. He is currently on a four-game point streak, accounting for four goals and three assists in that span. Since turning pro in 2013, the 2009, second round NHL Draft pick of the Nashville Predators has appeared in 189 games with the Cyclones and Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL), accounting for 40 goals and 53 assists.
And Down the Stretch They Come!: Saturday night’s 2-0 win over Evansville marked the 19th time this season that Cincinnati has won a game when leading after two periods. The Cyclones are 19-1-0-0 when leading heading into the third period, and are a perfect 15-0-0-0 at home when leading through 40 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!