For Immediate Release: March 4, 2016
Vs. Quad City Mallards (26-23-3-2, 57PTS)
Friday, March 4, 2016 - 8:05pm ET
iWireless Center - Moline, IL
Overview: The Cyclones head back on the road for a meeting with the Quad City Mallards on Friday night. The Cyclones have been on a roll over the last 10 games, recording points in five straight, and wins in eight of the last 10. Cincinnati currently sits in second place in the ECHL’s Midwest Division, with a record of 29-20-3-3. At 64 points, the Cyclones are just three points back of the Division-leading Ft. Wayne Komets, and are tied with the Utah Grizzlies for the fifth playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Saturday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (29-20-3-3) fell to the Indy Fuel, 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday night, in front of a record crowd of 16,529 at U.S. Bank Arena. Forward Colin Mulvey scored both goals in regulation for the Cyclones, who have points in 10 of the last 12 games. The Cyclones outshot Indy, 33-30, including 15-8 in the third period and overtime.
Friday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (29-20-3-2) extended their winning streak to four games, with a 3-0 shutout win over the Tulsa Oilers on Friday night. Forwards Zach Budish, Colin Mulvey, and Andrew Yogan scored the goals for the Cyclones, while goaltender Andy Iles stopped all 27 shots he faced for his second shutout as a Cyclone.
Last Wednesday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (28-20-3-2) picked up a 5-2 win over the Atlanta Gladiators on Wednesday night. Forward Joe Pendenza potted a pair of goals, while forwards Branden Gracel, Christiaan Minella, and Jack Downing netted lone tallies for Cincinnati. The Cyclones were outshot, 27-23 on the evening, with goaltender Andy Iles stopping 25 to collect his tenth win as a Cyclone.
Previewing Quad City: The Mallards are in the middle of a seven-game homestand, and are coming off of a 4-2 loss at the hands of the Utah Grizzlies on Wednesday night. The Mallards are 3-2-0-0 in their last five games, and sit in ninth place in the Western Conference playoff picture, four points back of the Tulsa Oilers who are in eighth Quad City is led by forward Matt Neal, who has totaled 37 points (13g, 24a) through 54 games. Team goals leader Olivier Archambault is right behind him with 33 (14g, 19a), and recently acquired Jordan Knackstedt (12g, 19a) rounds out the top three.
Inside the Series: The two teams split a two-game series in Quad City on February 19-20, and will meet a total of five more times this season. The Cyclones hold a 3-2-0-1 record through the first six meetings, with five of those contests having been decided by two or fewer goals.
Next Game Preview: Cincinnati takes on the Indy Fuel on Saturday night, wrapping up the Cyclones’ brief two-game road trip. The Cyclones dropped a 3-2 shootout decision to Indy at home last Saturday.
les Named ECHL Goaltender of the Month: The ECHL has announced that Cyclones goaltender Andy Iles has been selected as the Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Month for February. Iles led Cincinnati to an 8-3-0-1 record along with a 2.12 goals-against average and .927 save percentage in 12 games played. A native of Ithaca, NY, Iles allowed three or fewer goals in 11 of his 12 starts in February, and had 10 outings of 25 or more saves. His month was highlighted a 31-save shutout in a 2-0 win over the Evansville IceMen on February 13, and a perfect 27-for-27 performance in last Friday’s 3-0 win over the Tulsa Oilers. Iles has seen tremendous success since being claimed off of waivers in early January, posting 11 wins in his first 17 games with the Cyclones (11-5-0-1) with two shutouts, and a 2.37 goals-against average to go along with a .915 save percentage. Overall, the 24-year-old has appeared in 30 games this season between the Cyclones, Atlanta Gladiators, and Brampton Beast, and has posted an overall record of 14-8-1-1 along with a 2.64 GAA and .907 SV%.
Cyclones’ Record-Setting Night: The Cyclones saw their highest-attended regular season game in team history on Saturday night, as 16,529 fans watched Cincinnati drop a 3-2 shootout thriller to the Indy Fuel. The crowd surpassed the previous regular season record (13,237), set on January 4, 2014, and overall record (13,438), set on May 21, 2010. Saturday marked the first sellout in Cyclones history at U.S. Bank Arena, and the game also stands as the second highest-attended game in ECHL history.
Heating Up: Forward Colin Mulvey was a key factor for the Cyclones last week, accounting for three goals and two assists in four games, with all of his goals coming in the last two contests. Since being acquired in a trade from the South Carolina Stingrays in early February, Mulvey has recorded six points (3g 3a).
You Guys Again!?: Saturday night’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Indy Fuel marked the first of six straight games against the Indy Fuel and Quad City Mallards, with the Cyclones taking on both squads three times each in that span. The Cyclones have posted a 5-5-0-2 combined record against Quad City and Indy, and will take on each team five times each over the last 17 games of the season.
Late Game Heroics: With a goal in the third period of Saturday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Indy Fuel, the Cyclones are now second in the ECHL with 66 goals in the third period, and are outscoring their opponents, 66-46, in the final frame, which is tied for 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, 40-25, in that span.
And Down the Stretch They Come!: Last Friday night’s 3-0 win over Tulsa marked the 23rd time this season that Cincinnati has won a game when leading after two periods. The Cyclones are 23-1-0-0 when leading heading into the third period, and are a perfect 18-0-0-0 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!
