For Immediate Release: October 12, 2019
Game 1 (Home Game 1)
Vs. Wheeling Nailers (0-0-0-0, 0 pts)
Saturday, October 12, 2019 - 7:35pm ET
U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
VIDEO PREVIEW| FULL GAME NOTES
Welcome to 2019-2020: The Cyclones begin their defense of their 2018-19 Brabham Cup Championship on Saturday night against the Wheeling Nailers. Cincinnati enters their 13th season since returning in 2006-07 with 10 returners from last season, including reigning ECHL MVP Jesse Schultz, and 2018-19 Goaltender of the Year Michael Houser. Additionally, five players on the Opening Night Roster are entering their first full pro seasons, and 10 players are under contract with either the Buffalo Sabres or Rochester Americans, National Hockey League (NHL), and American Hockey League (AHL) affiliates of the Cyclones, respectively.
Preseason Recap: Cincinnati split their preseason home-and-home series with the Indy Fuel last weekend, falling 3-1 in Indy on Friday, before picking up a 4-1 win on home ice Saturday night. Forward Ryan Siroky led the way with a goal and an assist, while forwards Brady Vail, Darik Angeli, Shaw Boomhower, and Jake Smith each recorded lone goals. Additionally, four others registers assists, while goaltenders Michael Houser and Sean Romeo each started one game.
Previewing Wheeling: The Nailers missed out on the 2019 Kelly Cup Playoffs by five points in the Central Division, finishing in sixth place The Nailers return 10 players from a season ago, led by forward Yushiroh Hirano who accounted for 19 goals and 38 assists in 67 games played. The Nailers have a few key newcomers as well, including former Cyclones Forward Myles Powell who ranked second on the ‘Clones in points a season ago with 31 goals and 35 assist in 57 games played, and was also named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team. Like Cincinnati, the Nailers are getting a lot of help from their affiliates; Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL, and the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL. Overall, nine players are under contract with their parent clubs.
Inside the Series: Saturday marks the first of 10 meetings on the season, with five of those meetings coming in Cincinnati. Last year, Cincinnati posted a 7-1-0-0 record against Wheeling, and outscored them, 28-11, in the process. Reigning ECHL MVP and returnerJesse Schultz led the way with three goals and eight assists, while Wheeling’s top scorer against the Cyclones was forward Winston Day Chief who accounted for a pair of goals and two assists.
Next Game Preview: Cincinnati has a week off prior to their next game; next Saturday on the road against the Kalamazoo Wings. The Cyclones and Wings meet 14 times this season, with eight of them coming on Cincinnati’s home ice. The teams met 11 times in 2018-19, with Cincinnati taking nine of those meetings. The two sides met in the Central Division Semifinals of the 2019 Kelly Cup Playoffs as well, with the Cyclones earning a 4 games to 2 series win.
Breaking Down the Roster: Cincinnati returns 12 players who donned the Red and Black a season ago, led by 2018-19 League MVP Jesse Schultz, who accounted for 22 goals and 58 assists in 71 games, and was also the recipient of the League’s scoring title. Other notable returners include reigning ECHL Goaltender of the Year Michael Houser (29-7-4-1, 2.13 GAA, .922 SV%), team captain and player/assistant coach Justin Vaive (19g, 15a), and forward Brady Vail (27g, 38a). Additionally, Cincinnati received 10 players from the Rochester Americans, American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Cyclones, and the roster also includes 12 newcomers and five rookies.
Reunited and it Feels so Good!: Cincinnati’s opening night roster features a few past connections. Newcomers Justin Baudry, Brendan Harms, and Cory Ward played collegiately at Bemidji State University. All three were teammates during the 2015-16 season, while Harms and Ward skated together, and were even linemates, from 2013-16. Additionally, rookie forward John Wiitala and rookie goaltender Sean Romeo each wrapped up their collegiate careers at Ohio State University. The pair spent the last two seasons together for the Buckeyes after Romeo transferred to the school prior to the 2016-17 season, and they helped lead the Buckeyes to the Frozen Four in 2018. Finally, forward Mason Mitchell played under Cyclones head coach Matt Thomas at the University of Alaska-Anchorage from 2015-17. Mitchell accounted for 26 points (15g, 11a) in 50 games under Thomas’ tutelage.
Cyclones Dominate Postseason Awards: Cincinnati took four of the five individual postseason awards, as forward Jesse Schultz, defenseman Eric Knodel, goaltender Michael Houser, and head coach Matt Thomas all earned ECHL hardware. Schultz earned League MVP honors after leading the ECHL with 22 goals and a League-leading 58 assists for a career-high 80 points through 71 games, and was third with 22 power play assists and tied for sixth with 25 power play points. Schultz also earned the ECHL scoring title, and was also named to the All-ECHL First Team last week. Knodel led all defensemen with 53 points (17g, 36a), and ranked third with an on-ice rating of plus-38. His 17 goals tied him for first and his 36 assists placed him fourth amongst League blueliners in those respective categories. Additionally, he was second amongst League rearguards in both power play points (25) and power play assists (19), and he was second with six man-advantage goals. He was also named the AMI Graphics ECHL Plus Performer of the Month for February, after posting an on-ice rating of plus-16 through 13 games during the month. Houser, who was named to the All-ECHL First Team last week, led all ECHL netminders with a record of 29-7-4-1, and was second with a 2.13 goals-against average. He also placed fourth in the ECHL with a .922 save percentage. His 29 wins tied him for the League-lead amongst ECHL netminders, and he allowed more than three goals on just seven occasions. Additionally, he made 25 or more saves in all but 12 outings this season. Houser was also named the Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Month for December after a perfect 6-0-0-0 record along with a 1.17 goals against average and a .950 save percentage. In his first season behind the Cyclones bench, Thomas guided the Cyclones to a League-best 51-13-5-3 record for 110 points, earning the team’s second-ever Brabham Cup as ECHL regular season champions, along with the team’s first division title since the 2012-13 season. The Cyclones achieved a 30-2-2-2 mark on home ice, tying an ECHL record for most home wins and fewest home losses, and also led the League with an average of 3.92 goals scored per game and goals against with 2.44. Thomas was also named head coach of the Western Conference All-Stars at this season’s CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic in Toledo.
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 2019-20 Cincinnati Cyclones season is upon us! The defending Brabham Cup champion Cyclones open the season with FIRST FACE-OFF on Saturday, October 12, against the Wheeling Nailers, and we invite YOU to join us for the ride! Single game tickets, along with season and group ticket packages for every game this season are on sale now, and you can get more info 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!
