For Immediate Release: March 12, 2016
Game 59 (Home Game 31)
Vs. Quad City Mallards (27-25-4-2, 60 PTS)
Saturday, March 12, 2016 - 7:35pm ET
U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
Overview: The Cyclones are 11-1-0-1 in their last 13 games after Friday’s 3-1 win over the Quad City Mallards. They currently sit in second place in the ECHL’s Midwest Division, three points back of the Division-leading Ft. Wayne Komets (73), and are in sole possession of the fifth playoff spot in the Western Conference, three points back of the Komets, Idaho Steelheads and Allen Americans, and one point ahead of the Utah Grizzlies who are in sixth.
Last Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (32-20-3-3) collected a 3-1 win over the Quad City Mallards on Friday night. Forwards Tommy Mele and Colin Mulvey, and defenseman Brett Wysopal scored the goals for the Cyclones, who earn their eleventh win in the last 13 games. Cyclones netminder Brad Thiessen was solid in his return to the Cyclones’ lineup, stopping 25 of the 26 shots he faced to secure the win.
Last Saturday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (31-20-3-3) earned a 5-1 win over the Indy Fuel on Saturday night. Forwards Nick Huard, Christiaan Minella, Zach Budish, Seth Ambroz, and Jack Downing scored the goals for the Cyclones, who push their point streak to seven games. It was another stellar outing for Cyclones goaltender Andy Iles, who turned aside 30 of the 31 shots he faced to collect the win.
Last Friday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (30-20-3-3) picked up a 6-2 win over the Quad City Mallards on Friday night. Defenseman Jonathan Diaby, and forwards Seth Ambroz, Colin Mulvey, Joe Wilson, Tommy Mele and Zach Budish scored the goals for the Cyclones, who earn their ninth win in the last 11 games. Goaltender Andy Iles was stellar in net for the Cyclones, stopping 32 of the 34 shots he faced to collect the win.
Previewing Quad City: The Mallards have dropped four of their last five games, and currently sit 10 points back of the Cyclones in the standings. Quad City holds down the ninth playoff spot, just one point back of the Tulsa Oilers. They are led by forward Matt Neal, who has accounted for 40 points (16g, 24a) through 58 games this season. He is followed by forwards Matt Carey (19g, 24a) and Olivier Archambault (15g, 21a) who round out the top three.
Inside the Series: This will be the third meeting in the last nine days between the Cyclones and Mallards, and the fifth since February 19. The Cyclones have a 5-2-0-1 record through the first eight of the 11-game season series and are outscoring the Mallards, 24-19, in those contests, however, six of those games have been decided by two or fewer goals.
Next Game Preview: Cincinnati concludes their three-game weekend on Sunday afternoon in Indy against the Fuel. The Cyclones picked up a 5-1 win over Indy last Saturday night.
TOP STORYLINES
Rolling Along: Cincinnati is currently riding an eight-game point streak (7-0-0-1), and is outscoring their opposition, 34-14, in that time. The Cyclones have won 11 of their last 13 games (11-1-0-1), and their 17-5-0-1 record since January 17 is tied for the ECHL’s best mark in that time.
Dynamic Duo: Forwards Tommy Mele and Colin Mulvey combined for four points (2g, 2a) in last night’s 3-1 win over the Quad City Mallards, and have been offensive leaders for Cincinnati since being acquired in trades earlier this season. Mele is currently riding an eight-game point streak, having accounted for four goals and five assists in that span, and has totaled nine goals and eight assists in his first 23 games with the Cyclones. Mulvey has appeared in 11 games for the Cyclones, scoring five goals and dishing out four assists in that time, including multi-point efforts in two of his last four games. Overall, the Cyclones are a combined 19-0-0-2 with Mele or Mulvey register at least one point.
Thiessen and Noonan Return: Goaltender Brad Thiessen has been returned on loan from the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL), while defenseman Garrett Noonan has been sent down from the Milwaukee Admirals, AHL affiliate of the Cyclones. Thiessen began his most recent stint with the Monsters back on January 5, appearing in 20 games in Lake Erie and posting a 10-4-4 record along with a 2.02 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage in 18 games played. He was amongst the League’s goaltending leaders in February, earning AHL Goaltender of the Month honors after posting a record of 6-1-2, along with a 1.75 GAA and .937 SV%. In 20 total games played with the Monsters, Thiessen has posted a 2.00 GAA along with a 0.926 SV%. Noonan has suited up in 20 games for the Cyclones this season, accounting for seven goals and 24 assists for 31 points. Noonan has been one of the ECHL’s top-scoring defenseman this season, ranking ninth amongst League rearguards in scoring. He was named Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week for the week of February 8-14, after registering a pair of goals and five assists over a four-game span.
Powerful Man: Forward Nick Huard scored his League-leading 13th power play goal in last Saturday’s 5-1 win over the Indy Fuel. Huard has been one of Cincinnati’s top producers on the man-advantage this season, with 20 of his 41 points (13g, 7a) coming on the power play. The North Bay, ONT, native is currently ninth in League rookie scoring, accounting for 17 goals and 24 assists.
Late Game Heroics: With two goals in the third period of last Saturday’s 5-1 win over the Indy Fuel, the Cyclones lead the ECHL with 71 goals in the third period, and are outscoring their opponents, 71-50, in the final frame, which is the largest margin in the ECHL. Cincinnati’s third period offensive production has especially been showcased in the final 10 minutes of regulation, as the Cyclones are outscoring the opposition, 43-29, in that span.
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