For Immediate Release: March 13, 2016
Vs. Indy Fuel (27-31-3-0, 57 PTS)
Sunday, March 13, 2016 - 3:05pm ET
Indiana Farmers Coliseum - Indianapolis, IN
Overview: Despite falling to the Quad City Mallards on Saturday night, the Cyclones have won 11 of their last thirteen, and still sit in second place in the Midwest Division and sixth in the Western Conference. The Cyclones are five points back of the Ft. Wayne Komets for first in the Midwest Division, and are just one point back of the Utah Grizzlies who are in fifth place in the conference.
Last Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (32-21-3-3) fell to the Quad City Mallards, 3-2, on Saturday night in front of 8,746 at U.S. Bank Arena. Forwards Tommy Mele and Peter Quenneville scored the goals for the Cyclones. Cincinnati outshot Quad City, 30-26, on the night, with goaltender Brad Thiessen turning aside 23 in the loss.
Friday 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.
Previewing Indy: The Fuel have dropped their last five games, having been outscored 17-5 in that span. They currently sit in 10th place in the Western Conference playoff picture, five points back of the Quad City Mallards who are in eighth place. Forward Alex Lavoie paces the team in scoring with 44 points (13g, 31a) through 60 games, followed by forwards Peter Schneider and Mike Seidel, who have each accounted for 13 goals and 17 assists.
Inside the Series: This will be the second meeting in the last eight days between the Cyclones and Fuel, with Cincinnati taking last Saturday’s game by a 5-1 score. Indy holds a 4-3-0-0 edge in the season series, and the two sides are scheduled to meet three more times this season after Sunday afternoon. It has been a close series so far this season, with five of the first seven games having been decided by two or fewer goals.
Next Game Preview: Cincinnati returns home for a meeting with the Wheeling Nailers on Thursday night. It marks the start of a two-game homestand for the Cyclones and Nailers, and next Thursday and Friday will be the fourth and fifth meetings of the season series, with Wheeling holding a 2-1-0-0 edge.
Rolling Along: Cincinnati has points in eight of their last nine games (7-1-0-1), and is outscoring their opposition, 36-16, in that time. The Cyclones have won 11 of their last 14 games (11-2-0-1), and their 17-6-0-1 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 (3g, 3a) in over the last two games, and have been offensive leaders for Cincinnati since being acquired in trades earlier this season. Mele is currently riding an nine-game point streak, having accounted for five goals and five assists in that span. Overall, he has totaled 10 goals and eight assists in his first 24 games with the Cyclones. Mulvey has appeared in 12 games for the Cyclones, scoring five goals and dishing out five assists in that time. Overall, the Cyclones are a combined 19-1-0-2 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 21 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 a goal in the third period of last night’s 3-2 loss to the Quad City Mallards, the Cyclones lead the ECHL with 72 goals in the third period, and are outscoring their opponents, 72-50, 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.
And Down the Stretch They Come!: Last night’s 3-1 win over Quad City marked the 26th time this season that Cincinnati has won a game when leading after two periods. The Cyclones are 26-1-0-0 when leading heading into the third period, and are a perfect 19-0-0-0 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!