For Immediate Release: March 17, 2016
Vs. Wheeling Nailers (31-23-2-4, 68 PTS)
Thursday, March 17, 2016 - 7:35pm ET
U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
Overview: The Cyclones return to home ice on Thursday night for a meeting with the Wheeling Nailers. Despite dropping two of three this past weekend, the Cyclones are still in second place in the ECHL’s Midwest Division. At 70 points, the Cyclones are now five points back of the Ft. Wayne Komets in first place. Cincinnati holds down the sixth playoff spot in the Western Conference, one point back of the Utah Grizzlies for fifth, and three up on the Colorado Eagles who are in seventh.
Sunday Afternoon Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (32-22-3-3) dropped a 2-1 decision to the Indy Fuel on Sunday afternoon. Forward Peter Quenneville scored the lone goal for the Cyclones. Cincinnati outshot the Fuel, 36-31 on the afternoon, with goaltender Andy Iles stopping 29 to take the loss.
Saturday 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.
Previewing Wheeling: The Nailers have been one of the ECHL’s hottest teams recently, having won five of their last six games and outscoring the opposition, 22-12, in that span. They currently are in seventh in the ECHL Eastern Conference playoff picture, two points back of sixth. They are led by forward Riley Brace who has accounted for 56 points (22g, 34a) in 44 games played. He is followed by defenseman Mathew Maione (8g, 37a), and forward Cody Wydo (21g, 21a) who round out the top three.
Inside the Series: This will be the third meeting of the season between the Cyclones and Nailers, with Wheeling holding a 2-0-0-0 edge in the season series.
Next Game Preview: Cincinnati wraps up their two-game homestand with the Nailers on Friday night at 7:35pm ET.
Kelly Cup Visits Cincinnati: The Cincinnati Cyclones, in conjunction with the ECHL, are proud to announce that the Kelly Cup will be at U.S. Bank Arena this Thursday and Friday for Cincinnati’s games against the Wheeling Nailers. The visit is a part of the ECHL’s Kelly Cup Tour, which offers ECHL fans the opportunity to view the coveted Patrick J. Kelly Cup, which has been awarded to the ECHL postseason champion since 1996-97. The Cyclones have won the Kelly Cup twice since returning to the ECHL in 2006, having defeated the Las Vegas Wranglers four games to two in 2008, and the Idaho Steelheads, four games to one, in 2010. Cincinnati made a third trip to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2014 where they fell to the Alaska Aces, four games to two. The Kelly Cup is named in recognition of Patrick J. Kelly, who is one of the founding fathers of the ECHL. Kelly served as Commissioner of the ECHL for the first eight seasons before being named Commissioner Emeritus in 1996, a title which he continues to hold.
Rolling Along: Cincinnati has points in eight of their last 10 games (7-2-0-1), and is outscoring their opposition, 37-18, in that time. The Cyclones have won 11 of their last 15 games (11-3-0-1), and their 17-6-0-1 record since January 17 is amongst the top ECHL marks in that time.
Budish Hits 200: Sunday’s 2-1 loss against the Indy Fuel marked the 200th pro game for forward Zach Budish. A native of Edina, MN, Budish has totaled 44 goals and 108 assists between the Cyclones and American Hockey League’s (AHL) Milwaukee Admirals since turning pro in 2013, after a successful collegiate career at the University of Minnesota. He is enjoying a career-year in terms of scoring, enjoying career highs in goals (23), assists (28), and points (51). The 24-year-old was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the second round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Dynamic Duo: Forwards Tommy Mele and Colin Mulvey combined for six points (3g, 3a) over the last three games, and have been offensive leaders for Cincinnati since being acquired in trades earlier this season. Mele has points in nine of his last 10 games, having accounted for five goals and five assists in that span. Overall, he has totaled 10 goals and eight assists in his first 25 games with the Cyclones. Mulvey has appeared in 13 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 when Mele or Mulvey register at least one point.
Slump Buster: After being held off of the scoresheet in four consecutive games, forward Peter Quenneville has a goal in each of his last two contests. The rookie forward has accounted for 24 points (9g, 15a) in his first pro season.
Timely Scoring: With a goal in the third period of Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Indy Fuel, the Cyclones lead the ECHL with 73 goals in the third period, and are outscoring their opponents, 73-50, 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, 44-29, in that span.
And Down the Stretch They Come!: Friday’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.
St. Patrick’s Celebration: The Cyclones will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day when they return home on Thursday and Friday to take on the Wheeling Nailers. Cincinnati will be wearing special St. Patrick’s Day jerseys for both games, and they will then be auctioned off after the game on Friday. They Cyclones will also be featuring $1 beer specials on Thursday, and green beer on both Thursday and Friday.
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!
