For Immediate Release: October 25, 2019
Game 4 (Road Game 3)
Vs. Indy Fuel (3-2-0-0, 6 pts)
Saturday, October 26, 2019 – 6:05pm ET
Indiana Farmers Coliseum - Indianapolis, IN
Overview: The Cyclones wrap up their two-game weekend in Indianapolis against the Fuel on Saturday night. Cincinnati is coming off a 3-0 loss to the Fuel on Friday night, in the beginning of an 11-game season series.
Last Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (1-1-1-0) dropped a 3-0 decision to the Indy Fuel on Friday night. The loss marked Cincinnati’s first shutout defeat since an 8-0 loss to the Reading Royals on February 16, 2018. Cincinnati was outshot, 29-22 on the evening, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 26 in the loss.
Saturday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (1-0-1-0) fell to the Kalamazoo Wings, 4-3 in overtime, on Saturday night. Forwards Mason Mitchell, John Edwardh, and Jesse Schultz netted the goals for Cincinnati. The physicality was ramped up in the contest as well, as the teams combined for 86 minutes in penalties. Cincinnati outshot the Wings, 31-22 on the night, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 18 in defeat. Cincinnati
Last Saturday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (1-0-0-0) took down the Wheeling Nailers, 4-2, on Saturday night. Forwards Mason Mitchell, John Edwardh, and Shaw Boomhower, along with defenseman Andrew DeBrincat netted the goals for Cincinnati, who overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period.
Previewing Indy: The Fuel sit in a three-way tie for the top spot in the ECHL Central Division, following Friday’s 3-0 win over the Cyclones. Over the summer, the Fuel hired new head coach Doug Christiansen, formerly of the now-defunct Manchester Monarchs, to replace Bernie John. They return nine players who saw ice time a season ago, and are currently led by forward Spencer Watson who has totalled five goals and four assists. He is followed by forward Alex Krushelnyski (2g, 5a), and a pair of five-point scorers in forwards Bobby MacIntyre and Derian Plouffe (2g, 3a each). In goal, Charles Williams has posted a 2-1-0-0 record, along with a 2.61 goals-against average and .896 save percentage.
Inside the Series: Saturday is the second game of an 11-game season series between the Cyclones and Fuel, following Indy’s 3-0 win on Friday. The Cyclones went 8-4-0-0 against the Fuel in 2018-19, outscoring them 46-34 in those contests.
Next Game Preview: The Cyclones return home to take on the Florida Everblades on Wednesday night. It will be the first meeting between the two since a three-game road series in Florida during the 2017-18 season, and it will be Florida’s first trip to Cincinnati since the 2012-13 season.
Something You Don’t see Everyday: Friday’s 3-0 loss to Indy was the first shutout loss for he Cyclones since an 8-0 defeat at the hands of the Reading Royals on February 16, 2018.
Saving the Best for Last: Cincinnati has outscored the opposition, 5-2 in the third period, through the first three games this season. The Cyclones netted four unanswered goals in their season-opening 4-2 win over the Wheeling Nailers on October 12, and potted a lone marker in the third period of last Saturday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Kalamazoo Wings.
Enemies Become Friends: The Cyclones acquired defenseman Cody Sol from the Toledo Walleye, in exchange for Future Considerations. Sol, who signed with the Walleye prior to the start of the season, registered an assist in his only game with the Walleye; a 4-3 win over the Brampton Beast on Saturday. A native of Woodstock, ON, Sol has spent the last five seasons with the Ft. Wayne Komets, where he accounted for 28 goals and 101 assists, along with 785 penalty minutes, across 287 games. He accounted for 11 points on four goals and seven assists last season, and enjoyed a career-high 29-point campaign (8g, 21a) in 2017-18. Sol has also seen ECHL time with the Colorado Eagles in 2012-13 and Ontario Reign in 2013-14. Overall, in 378 ECHL, Sol has accounted for 128 points (39g, 89a) along with a whopping 1,015 minutes in penalties. The 28-year-old has also seen time in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Chicago Wolves and St. John’s IceCaps, tallying a goal and three assists in 28 career games. Prior to turning pro, Sol enjoyed a successful career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), suiting up for the Kitchener Rangers and Saginaw Spirit. In 255 career OHL games, he amassed 76 points (27g, 49a) along with 575 penalty minutes.
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.
The 2019-20 Cincinnati Cyclones season is upon us! The defending Brabham Cup champion Cyclones are looking to build off of last season’s success, 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!
