For Immediate Release: April 1, 2016
Game 69 (Road Game 34)
Vs. Evansville IceMen (26-31-7-2, 61 PTS)
Friday, April 1, 2016 - 8:15 pm ET
Ford Center- Evansville, IN
Overview: The Cyclones head back on the road on Friday night when they battle the Evansville IceMen in the eighth and final meeting of the season series. The Cyclones are coming off of a 6-1 win over the Indy Fuel on Thursday, and they now sit in fifth place in the ECHL Western Conference playoff picture, two points back of the Allen Americans in fourth, and one up on the Colorado Eagles and Utah Grizzlies who are tied for sixth. A win for Cincinnati on Friday night in Evansville guarantees the Cyclones a spot in the 2016 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Last Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (35-24-5-4) displayed an offensive explosion on Thursday night, scorching the Indy Fuel by a final of 6-1. Forwards Branden Gracel, Christiaan Minella, Jack Downing, Tommy Mele, and Nick Huard, along with defenseman Brett Wysopal, had the goals for the Cyclones, who can clinch a spot in the playoffs with a win and a Tulsa Oilers loss on Friday. The Cyclones were outshot, 27-29 on the night, with goaltender Andy Iles stopping 28 shots in the victory.
Tuesday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (34-24-5-4) lost a tough back-and-forth affair to the Fort Wayne Komets on Tuesday night by a final tally of 5-3. Forwards Christiaan Minella, Jack Downing, and Nick Huard had the goals for the Cyclones, who now sit 7 points back of first-place in the division with just 5 games remaining in the regular season. The Cyclones had a wide advantage in shots-on-goal, 26-15, with goaltender Andy Iles only able to stop 10 of the 14 shots he faced in the loss.
Saturday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (34-23-5-4) picked up a 4-1 win over the Toledo Walleye on Saturday night. Defenseman Andrew Blazek, and forwards Tommy Mele, Colin Mulvey, and Christiaan Minella scored the goals for the Cyclones, who snap their three-game losing streak. The Cyclones were outshot, 33-22 on the night, with goaltender Andy Iles stopping 32 to collect the win.
Previewing Evansville: The IceMen have dropped three in a row, and five of their last seven overall, after falling to the Ft. Wayne Komets, 3-1, on Saturday night. Forward Nathan Moon leads all scorers with 46 points (15g, 31a) through 64 games played, while forwards Jordan Sims (16g, 25a), and Tyson Fawcett (20g, 17a) round out the top three scorers amongst active IceMen players.
Inside the Series: Friday’s meeting marks the ninth and final meeting of the season between Evansville and Cincinnati, with the Cyclones holding a 5-2-0-1 edge in the season series. The Cyclones dropped the last meeting in Evansville, 6-5 in a shootout on March 20, and both of Evansville’s regulation wins against the Cyclones have come in Evansville.
Next Game Preview: The Cyclones wrap up the home portion of the 2015-16 schedule on Saturday night against the Toledo Walleye, in the final meeting between the two teams for the regular season. Cincinnati took down Toledo last Saturday on the road, and the Cyclones hold a 3-0-0-1 edge in the season series.
TOP STORYLINES
Offering Assist-ance: Forward Colin Mulvey dished out three assists in Thursday’s 6-1 win over the Indy Fuel, and now has seven helpers over his last five games. He has points in four of his last six games, adding a pair of goals to that total. Mulvey has been an offensive force for the Cyclones since being acquired in a trade from the South Carolina Stingrays, accounting for 19 points (7g, 12a) in 21 games with Cincinnati.
A New Benchmark: With a goal in last night’s 6-1 win over Indy, forward Christiaan Minella set a new career-high with his 14 goal of the season. The goal also brought his point total to 22, tying his career-high which he set during the 2011-12 season while with the Wheeling Nailers (8g, 14a). The Cincinnati, OH, native is currently riding a three-game goal scoring streak, and has added an assist for four total points during that span.
19 Going on Thirty: By way of his goal in Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to Ft. Wayne, forward Jack Downing has now amassed 30 goals for the Cyclones this season, which tied him for sixth-most in a single season in team history. He added another marker in last night’s 6-1 win over the Indy Fuel, moving him into a tie for fifth with Thomas Beauregard, (31g, 2007-08). With four games left in the regular season, Downing still has the opportunity to move up on the list, as Jean-Michel Daoust, (32g, 2006-07)is just ahead of the New Canaan, CT native. Downing’s previous career high for goals in a season was 20 last year, between his time with the Cyclones and the Missouri Mavericks.
Cyclones Add Two: The Cincinnati Cyclones have announced that forwards Brett Ferguson and Levko Koper have been signed to standard player contracts. The pair recently wrapped up their collegiate hockey careers at the University of Alberta, and helped lead the school to back-to-back Canadian national championships in 2014 and 2015. A native of Vibank, SK, Ferguson appeared in 27 games for the Golden Bears this season, ranking fourth on the team in scoring with seven goals and 21 assists. In five seasons at the University of Alberta, the 6’0”, 195-pound winger accounted for 38 goals and 80 assists for 118 points. Prior to college, Ferguson suited up in 15 games for the Utah Grizzlies during the 2011-12 season, accounting for a goal and an assist in that time. He also skated for the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL) from 2008-2011, appearing in 212 games over three seasons while totaling 43 goals and 81 assists. Koper ranked second on the Golden Bears in scoring this season, tallying 14 goals and 17 assists in 28 games played, while leading the team with a plus-22 on-ice rating. A native of Edmonton, AB, Koper skated 140 career games at the University of Alberta, accounting for 51 goals and 88 assists. Prior to his time with the Golden Bears, the 2009, seventh round draft pick of the Atlanta Thrashers played five seasons with the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL, amassing 97 goals and 129 assists in 330 games.
Wrapping up the Home Schedule: The final home games of the 2015-16 regular season will be against the Toledo Walleye on Saturday. Saturday is also Fan Appreciation Night, which will feature $1 hot dogs, pizza, soda, and beer. There will be giveaways all night long on Saturday as well, and the team will be auctioning off their warm-up jerseys after the game.
Cyclones Announce Playoff Ticket Packages: The Cincinnati Cyclones have announced ticket packages for the upcoming 2016 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs. Cyclones playoff packages start at $256 per seat and include all 16 potential playoff games. Current 36-game full-season ticket holders already have games one and two of the 2016 playoffs included in their season ticket packages, therefore 14-game plans are available starting at $224 per seat. Single game tickets will be announced at a later date, once the Cyclones officially clinch a spot in the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Cyclones currently hold down fifth place in the ECHL’s Western Conference. Under the current ECHL playoff format, the top eight teams from both the Eastern and Western Conference receive playoff berths, and all rounds are a best-of-seven format with a potential of four rounds in total.
The 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs are right around the corner! 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 2016 Kelly Cup Playoff 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!