GAME NOTES: 12/7 vs Orlando

GAME NOTES: 12/7 vs Orlando

For Immediate Release: December 7, 2017

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Game 21 (Home Game 9)

Vs. Orlando Solar Bears (9-10-3-0, 21 PTS)

Thursday, December 7, 2017 - 7:35pm ET

U.S. Bank Arena – Cincinnati, OH

FULL GAME NOTES

VIDEO PREVIEW

 

Overview: Cincinnati dropped their second in a row on Tuesday night in a 5-2 loss to the Orlando Solar Bears. The loss marked just their second regulation home loss of the season, and the ‘Clones are currently in the midst of a six-game home stand. 

Tuesday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (12-7-1-0) fell to the Orlando Solar Bears, 5-2, on Tuesday night. Forwards Rob De Fulviis and Jesse Schultz lit the lamp for Cincinnati. The Cyclones outshot Orlando, 25-24 on the night, with goaltenders Jonas Johansson and Jason Kasdorf combining to stop 19 in the loss.

Sunday Afternoon Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (12-6-1) fell to the Brampton Beast, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon. Forwards Justin Danforth and Winston Day Chief netted the goals for Cincinnati, who see their five-game winning streak halted. Cincinnati outshot Brampton, 34-33 on the afternoon, with netminder Jonas Johansson stopping 30 in a losing effort.

Friday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (12-5-1-0) picked up their fifth win in a row with a 4-2 decision over the Brampton Beast. Cyclones forwards Jesse Schultz, Justin Danforth, and Shawn O’Donnell, along with defenseman Chris Leone scored the goals for the ‘Clones. The Cyclones were outshot, 36-33 on the evening, with goaltender Jonas Johansson turning aside 34 for his third consecutive win.

Previewing Orlando:  The Solar Bears have won five of their last seven games following Tuesday’s 5-2 win over the Cyclones. Orlando has bounced back since a 2-8-2-0 start, compiling a 7-2-1-0 record over their last 10 contests. They are led offensively by forward Joshua Winquist who has totaled six goals and 15 assists through 18 games. He is followed by defenseman Nolan Valleau (7g, 13a) and forward Max Novak (8g,11a) who round out the top three.  In goal, Cal Heeter has posted a 6-5-2-0 record, along with a 3.18 goals-against average and a .889 save percentage. 

Inside the Series: This week marks the first time since the 2015-16 season that the Cyclones and Solar Bears will meet, and Thursday signals the conclusion of a two-game season series between the Cyclones and Solar Bears. Overall, Cincinnati and Orlando have met 11 times with the Solar Bears holding a 7-4-0 record. 

Next Game Preview: Cincinnati welcomes in the Tulsa Oilers on Saturday, in the first of two meetings on the season. Like Orlando, the ‘Clones and Oilers have not met since the 2015-16 season when the two sides met once at U.S. Bank Arena. Cincinnati was victorious in that matchup. 

 

NEED-TO-KNOW

Justin Vaive Returns: Cyclones forward and assistant captain Justin Vaive has been returned from the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Belleville Senators. He skated in six games with the Senators, however did not record a point. He skated in two games with Cincinnati at the beginning of the season, lighting the lamp once in that time. He has spent the majority if his pro career in the AHL, accounting for 31 goals and 36 assists in 280 games. He has appeared in 62 ECHL games and has totaled 41 points (19g, 22a) in that time. 

We’re Going Streaking!: Cyclones forwards Justin Danforth and Shawn O’Donnell are both riding lengthy point streaks. Danforth has points in eight straight games, accounting for six goals and six assists in that time, including goals in six straight. O’Donnell is currently on a seven-game point streak, and has tallied three goals and seven assists in that time. 

Filling the Net: The line of Justin Danforth, Shawn O’Donnell, and Jesse Schultz have led the Cyclones offensively this season, accounting for 65 points (28g, 37a) through the first 20 games this season, including four goals and three assists this past weekend in Brampton against the Beast.  O’Donnell leads the team in scoring with 24 points (9g, 15a), while Danforth is having a stellar first full pro season, currently ranking second in League rookie scoring with 23 points (12g, 11a). Schultz’s 18 points (7g, 11a) places him third on the team in scoring, and he is also tied for second on the team with a plus-10 on-ice rating. 

Secondary Scoring: Cincinnati’s second and third lines, along with the defensive corps, have made major contributions offensively in recent games, accounting for six goals and 11 assists over the last seven outings. Leading the way is forward Rob De Fulviis who has four goals, followed by defenseman Devante Stephens who has accounted for four assists in that time. 

The Captain Returns: Cyclones Captain Eric Knodel has been reassigned to Cincinnati by the Rochester Americans, American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Cincinnati Cyclones. Signed to a Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO) on November 16, Knodel appeared in two games with the Americans, however did not record a point. Knodel currently ranks fourth on the team in scoring with 12 points (5g, 7a). 

Amongst the Best: The Cyclones have a pair of players on ECHL leader boards entering Thursday. Forward Shawn O’Donnell is tied for sixth in League scoring with 24 points (9g, 15a), while rookie forward Justin Danforth leads all rookies with 12 goals and is second with 23 points. 

Peters Earns AHL Call: Last week, Cyclones goaltender Anthony Peters was loaned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL. A native of Blyth, ON, Peters currently ranks fourth in the ECHL with a 2.26 goals-against average and fifth with a .929 save percentage, along with a 7-4-1-0 record. He has won six of the last eight games he has skated in, allowing two or fewer goals in five of those contests.

Reaching New Heights: Cyclones forward Rob De Fulviis saw his three-game goal scoring streak snapped on Friday night, however he has set a new career-high in goals and points with six tallies on the season. The Toronto, ON, native recorded a goal and three assists in 26 games with the Cyclones last season. 

Limited Opportunity: Cincinnati is fourth in the ECHL with 2.60 goals against per game. The Cyclones have allowed two or fewer goals in five of their last eight games, and have given up more than three goals on just four occasions. 

Finishing What They Started: The Cyclones are 9-1-0-0 record when leading through two periods this season, and are 7-3-0-0 when leading after one. This is a continuing trend from last season, when the Cyclones were 23-1-3-1 when leading after one, and 26-1-2-0 when leading after 40 minutes. 

New Affiliation: This offseason, the Cyclones, in conjunction with the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Buffalo Sabres, announced a new affiliation agreement. For Cincinnati, the move comes following a 10-year partnership with the Nashville Predators, while the Sabres recently concluded a two-year relationship with the now-defunct Elmira Jackals. This affiliation will be a reunion of sorts for the cities of Cincinnati and Buffalo, as the Sabres’ American Hockey League (AHL) Affiliate from 1971-1974 was the Cincinnati Swords. The Rochester Americans will serve as Cincinnati’s new AHL affiliate, and have been the AHL affiliate of the Sabres since 2011. This is not the first time Cincinnati and Rochester have been affiliated, as the two clubs teamed up in 2010-11 when the Americans were affiliated with the Florida Panthers.

Stay Connected!: Follow the latest news on Twitter (@CincyCyclones), Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and more! Also, for all of the latest news and notes, head over to www.cycloneshockey.com.

 

The 2017-18 season is underway, and the Cincinnati Cyclones want YOU along for the ride! Call (513) 421-PUCK for information regarding Cyclones single game tickets, ticket packages, and Season and Group Tickets! Also, stay on top of the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com