For Immediate Release: November 21, 2018
Game 16 (Home Game 10)
Vs. Kalamazoo Wings (4-7-0-1, 9 pts)
Wednesday, November 21, 2018 - 7:35pm ET
U.S. Bank Arena – Cincinnati, OH
Overview: The Cyclones wrap up their four-game homestand on Wednesday night against the Kalamazoo Wings. Cincinnati beat Kalamazoo on Saturday night, in a game that featured a combined 102 minutes in penalties. Cincinnati is now 8-2-0-0 in their last 10 games, and are in a stretch of 10 in a row against Central Division opposition.
Saturday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (10-3-2-0) squeaked by the Kalamazoo Wings, 2-1, on Saturday night. Forward Myles Powell and defenseman Anthony Florentino tallied the goals for Cincinnati, and the two sides combined for 102 minutes of penalties in the game. Cincinnati outshot Kalamazoo, 29-27, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 26 in the win
Friday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (9-3-2-0) collected a 4-1 win over the Ft. Wayne Komets on Friday night. Forwards Myles Powell and Shaw Boomhower, along with defensemen Eric Knodel and Arvin Atwal netted the goals for the Cyclones, who have won both of the meetings against Ft. Wayne so far this season. The Cyclones were outshot, 31-28, in the period, with goaltender Jonas Johansson steering aside 30 in the win.
Last Tuesday Morning Recap:The Cincinnati Cyclones (8-3-2-0) shutout the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, 9-0, on Tuesday morning, in front of 12,346 school children for the Cyclones’ annual Field Trip Game. It marked Cincinnati’s highest goal total since a 9-4 road win against Evansville back in 2012-13. Forward Alex Wideman led the way with a pair of goals and three assists, while forward Myles Powell chipped in a pair of goals and an assist. Defensemen Eric Knodel and Devante Stephens, along with forwards Vas Glotov, Shaw Boomhower, and Mike Marnell each added lone markers, with Marnell also dishing out three assists for a four-point performance. Cincinnati outshot the Swamp Rabbits, 25-23, on the day, with goaltender Jonas Johansson stopping all 23 he faced in the win.
Previewing Kalamazoo: The Wings enter Wednesday having dropped seven of their last eight games, and are coming off a 2-1 loss to Cincinnati on Saturday. Despite being in the bottom four in overall offense at 2.64 goals per game, Kalamazoo has experienced success while shorthanded, as they rank third in the ECHL with five shorthanded goals, including their lone goal on Saturday. The Wings are led by forward Justin Taylor who has totaled eight goals and three assists through 12 games this season. He is followed by forwards Kyle Thomas (2g, 7a) and Chris Collins (4g, 5a) who round out the top three.
Inside the Series: This is the fifth of 11 meetings on the season between the Cyclones and Wings, and the finale of two straight between the teams at U.S. Bank Arena. Cincinnati is 3-0-1-0 against the Wings this season, and have outscored Kalamazoo, 14-7, in those contests.
Next Game Preview: The Cyclones hit the road to begin a 3-in-3 weekend in Friday in Indianapolis against the Fuel. This will be the fourth of 12 meetings on the season between the two sides, with Cincinnati dropping two of the first three.
NEED-TO-KNOW
Johansson Named ECHL Goaltender of the Week: Cyclones goaltender Jonas Johansson has been named CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week. The second-year netminder led Cincinnati to a pair of wins last week, posting a 0.50 goals-against average and a .981 save percentage, along with one shutout. His week started with a perfect 23-save performance in Tuesday’s 9-0 win over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in the Cyclones’ annual Field Trip Game, marking his second career shutout. He was back between the pipes on Friday night where he turned aside 30 of the 31 shots he faced in a 4-1 win over the Ft. Wayne Komets. Currently in his third pro season, the Galve, SWE, native is currently in a four-game winning streak, turning out a 1.51 GAA and a .947 SV% in the process. Johansson has an overall record of 5-2-1-0 record, along with a 2.76 GAA and a .903 SV%.
We’re going Streaking!: ForwardAlex Widemanhas points in seven straight, accounting for three goals and nine assists in that time, while Myles Powell is on a six game point and five game goal scoring streak, totaling seven markers and a pair of assists.
Taking Away the Power: The Cyclones enter Saturday as the top penalty kill team in the League, having allowed just five goals in 48 shorthanded situations (89.4%). Additionally, Cincinnati also boasts the second-ranked home penalty at 93.3% (28/30), and have only allowed three power play goals on their last 28 chances. Cincinnati is tied for the League lead with six shorthanded goals, with forward Myles Powell leading the way with two.
Defensive Dominance: The Cyclones lead the ECHL team defense, allowing 2.33 goals per game. Closing out games have been a specialty for Cincinnati, as they have only allowed four goals in the third period, and are outscoring the opposition, 17-4, in the final 20 minutes of play. Additionally, the Cyclones are a perfect 9-0-0-0 when leading through two periods, and has given up more than three goals in regulation just three times this season.
Offensive Explosion:The Cyclones are 8-2-0-0 in their last eight games, outscoring their opponents 41-19 in that span, including 37-9 in their seven wins. Cincinnati is the top offensive team in the ECHL, averaging 3.93 goals scored per game.
The Puck Stops Here: Goaltender Michael Houser sits atop the ECHL goaltending leaderboard with a 1.86 goals-against average and second with a .937 save percentage, while posting a 5-1-1-0 record this season.
Nine is Mighty Fine: Cincinnati’s 9-0 win over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits last Tuesday marked the Cyclones’ highest goal total since a 9-4 win over the Evansville IceMen back on March 3, 2013. It was also Cincinnati’s highest margin of victory since a 13-2 victory over the Reading Royals on December 27, 2002.
Welcome Matt Thomas: The Cyclones enter the 2018-19 season with a new head coach. In early August, Cincinnati hired Matt Thomas as the team’s new bench boss. He replaced Matt Macdonald who was named assistant coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins; American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. A native of Maple Ridge, BC, Thomas has extensive head coaching experience in the ECHL, spanning 11 seasons with the Atlantic Boardwalk Bullies, Fresno Falcons, and Stockton Thunder from 2002-2013. Thomas served two seasons as an assistant coach with Atlantic City, including helping the Boardwalk Bullies to a Kelly Cup Championship in 2003, before assuming the role of head coach and Director of Hockey Operations with the team prior to 2004-2005. He compiled a 42-22-8 mark in his lone season as Atlantic City’s bench boss, and served as the head coach for the 2005 ECHL All-Star Game. He then moved on to Fresno prior to the 2005-06 campaign, leading the Falcons to a 43-15-14 mark along with a trip to the Western Conference Finals. Over the next two seasons in Fresno, Thomas compiled a 76-41-17 record, with trips to the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs on both occasions. He coached the Falcons during the first half of 2008-09, leading the team to an 18-10-2 mark before the team ceased operations midseason. Thomas was not out of work for long however, as he was named head coach of Stockton shortly after and finished the year with a record of 22-16-3, and a trip to the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Thomas went on to coach the Thunder for four more seasons, amassing a mark of 141-111-36, reaching the post season each year, including a trip to the 2013 Kelly Cup Finals. He enters the 2018-19 campaign as the ECHL’s sixth-winningest coach with a career record of 342-225-80, just one win back of fifth place all time. He is also the all-time leader in playoff games coached with 97, and ranks third with 49 playoff wins.
The 2018-19 season is HERE, and the Cincinnati Cyclones want YOU along for the ride!Single game, Group, and Season Tickets are on sale NOW by calling (513) 421-PUCK! Stay on top of all the latest team updates and information on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
