For Immediate Release: February 8, 2017
Game 46 (Home Game 23)
Vs. Elmira Jackals (9-31-5-0, 23pts)
Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - 7:35pm ET
U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, Oh
Overview: The Cyclones won their second in a row on Friday night with a 5-2 decision over the Indy Fuel, and are now 2-1-0-0 in the first three games of their six game homestand. Cincinnati is in the middle of a busy month of February, as 12 of their 16 games will be played at home, and Cincinnati will be skating on 16 of the month’s 28 days.
Friday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (20-21-4-0) earned a 5-2 win over the Indy Fuel on Friday night. Forwards Dylan Nowakowski, Shane Walsh, Seth Ambroz, and Brandon McNally, along with defenseman Jonathan Diaby tallied the goals for the Cyclones, who have now won two in a row. Cyclones netminder Michael Houser was stellar for a second consecutive night, stopping 39 of the 41 shots he faced to collect the win.
Thursday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (19-21-4-0) earned a 4-3 overtime win over the Wheeling Nailers on Thursday night. Forwards Jordan Sims, Nick Huard, Dylan Nowakowski, and Andrew Yogan scored the goals for the Cyclones, who snap their four-game losing skid. Cincinnati was outshot, 43-22 on the night, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 40 in the win. It was another successful night for Cincinnati’s power play, as they converted on 67% of their chances.
Saturday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (18-20-4-0) dropped a 5-2 decision to the Missouri Mavericks on Saturday night. Defenseman Craig Dalrymple and Saverio Posa netted the goals for Cincinnati. The Cyclones were outshot, 32-29 on the night, with netminder Michael Houser turning aside 27 in the loss.
Previewing Elmira: The Jackals head into Wednesday’s matchup having dropped nine in a row, and are coming off of a three-game sweep at the hands of the Brampton Beast over the weekend. They have been outscored 40-16 on their current skid, however they have been in some close battles as five of those contests have been decided by two or fewer goals. They are led by forward Sebastian Sylvestre who has accounted for 31 points (14g, 17a) in 40 games this season. He is followed by the recently-acquired Sam Povorozniouk (14g, 8a), and forward Miles Koules (4g, 16a). In goal, they are led by former Cyclone Andy Iles who has posted a record of 5-17-3 to go along with a 3.64 goals-against average and .892 save percentage in 27 games played.
Inside the Series: Wednesday marks the first of two meetings this season between the Cyclones and Jackals, and the first time since February, 6 2015 that these two sides have met. Elmira took a 4-1 decision in the previous meeting, however Cincinnati holds a 24-19-1-3 record in the all-time series.
Next Game Preview: Cincinnati and Elmira conclude their two-game series on Friday night at 7:35pm ET.
HEADLINES
First for the Kid: Rookie forward Dylan Nowakowski netted his first ECHL goal in Thursday’s 4-3 overtime win over the Wheeling Nailers. He then potted his second ECHL goal and dished out an assist 24 hours later in Friday’s 5-2 decision over the Indy Fuel. Nowakowski has appeared in 14 games for the Cyclones this season, and has accounted for a pair of goals and an assist, along with a plus-4 on-ice rating.
Power Surge: The Cyclones netted a pair of power play markers in Thursday’s 4-3 overtime win over the Wheeling Nailers, and have converted on seven of their last 22 man-advantage opportunities over the last six games (31.8%).
Lighting it Up: Forward Nick Huard has been enjoying some offensive success as of late accounting for three goals and five assists in his last seven games. He’s currently riding a three-game point streak (2g, 1a), and has points in 10 of his first 14 games in the new year (6g, 7a).
Streaky Behavior: Forward Jordan Sims is currently riding a four-game point streak, accounting for a goal and four assists in that time. He has been one of the Cyclones’ offensive leaders in recent games, accounting for three goals and six assists in his last seven games.
Green Light from the Blueline: The Cyclones received some major offensive contributions from their defensive corps in the last six games, combining for four goals and nine assists in that time. Leading the way is Saverio Posa with a goal and a pair of assists, while both Eric Knodel and Craig Dalrymple have each accounted for a goal and an assist. Arvin Atwal and Dan Johnston has dished out a pair of assists, while Jonathan Diaby (G) and Jaynen Rissling (A) have added lone points.
Cyclones Re-Sign Minella: Cincinnati Cyclones Head Coach Matt Macdonald has announced that the team has signed forward Christiaan Minella to a Standard Player Contract (SPC). Minella appeared in 71 games for the Cyclones during the 2015-16 season, accounting for 14 goals and 8 assists in that time. A native of Cincinnati, OH, Minella has spent the bulk of his pro career in the ECHL, accounting for 63 goals and 53 assists, along with 284 penalty minutes in 306 games between the Cyclones and Wheeling Nailers. He has also skated in eight games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL). Prior to turning pro in 2010, the 31-year-old enjoyed a successful four-year career at the University of Notre Dame, where he totaled 33 points (12g, 21a) in 113 career games. He helped lead the Fighting Irish to Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) championships in 2007 and 2009, and NCAA tournament appearances in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
It’s Good to be Home: After playing 11-of-12 games on the road in January, the Cyclones are getting ready to embark on a 12-of-16 stretch on home ice in February. The Cyclones are 12-6-4-0 at home this season, averaging 3.00 goals per game on in their first 22 home games. Cincinnati also boasts the League’s seventh- best penalty kill at home, having killed of 56/67 oppositional power plays (86.6%).
Defensive Front: The Cyclones currently boast one of the top defenses in the ECHL, as they currently rank fourth in goals allowed per game with 2.96 and seventh in shots allowed with 29.56 allowed per 60 minutes.
Holding the Lead: The Cyclones have made a habit of holding onto leads this season, as they are 15-1-3-0 when leading after 20 minutes, and 17-1-2-0 when leading after two periods of play.
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