For Immediate Release: October 30, 2019
Game 5 (Home Game 2)
Vs. Florida Everblades (4-1-0-0, 8 pts)
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 - 7:35pm ET
U.S. Bank Arena- Cincinnati, OH
Overview: The Cyclones return home for the first time since First Face-off when they host the Florida Everblades on Wednesday night. Cincinnati is coming off a weekend split with the Indy Fuel over the weekend, falling 3-0 on Friday, before bouncing back with a 3-2 win on Saturday.
Saturday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (2-1-1-0) earned a 3-2 win over the Indy Fuel on Saturday night. Forwards Ben Johnson and John Edwardh, along with defenseman Cody Sol netted the goals for Cincinnati, who salvaged the split of the weekend series. Cincinnati outshot the Fuel, 28-25 on the evening, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 23 in the win
Friday 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.
Last 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
Previewing Florida: The Everblades enter Wednesday in third place in the ECHL South Division, and are coming off a weekend split with the Orlando Solar Bears. They suffered their first loss of the season on Friday night, before earning a shootout victory on Saturday. Florida has had to fight from behind in every game this season, as they have allowed the game’s first goal each outing, and they currently are one of the League’s top defensive teams, ranking second in both goals allowed (2.40) and shots against (26.40). Offensively,Justin Auger leads all active players with a pair of goals and three assists through five games. He is followed by forwards Cam Maclise (1g, 4a) and defenseman Ben Masella (4a) who round out the top three. In goal, Ken Appleby has a perfect 3-0-0-0 record along with a 1.67 goals-against average, which ranks third in the ECHL, and a .933 save percentage.
Inside the Series: Wednesday is the lone matchup on the schedule between the Cyclones and Everblades this season, and itwill be the first meeting between the two since a three-game road series in Florida during the 2017-18 season. Additionally, this will be Florida’s first trip to Cincinnati since the 2012-13 season.
Next Game Preview: The Cyclones head north of the border for a pair of games Saturday and Sunday against the Brampton Beast. The teams met three times last season, with Cincinnati taking two games, and the Cyclones are 5-2-0-0 against the Beast in the last seven matchups.
Nip it in the Bud: Forward Ben Johnson needed just 27 seconds to end Cincinnati’s shutout streak at 61:58 on Saturday, netting the first goal of the Cyclones’ 3-2 win over the Indy Fuel.
Game Winning Hero: Defenseman Cody Sol netted the game-winner in the second period of Cincinnati’s 3-2 win over the Indy Fuel on Saturday. It was the second point for Sol as a Cyclone, who registered an assist in last Saturday’s
Leading the Way: Forward John Edwardh scored his team-leading third goal of the season in Saturday’s 3-2 win over the Indy Fuel. He now has points in three of his first four games (3g, 1a).
Something You Don’t see Every Day: 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 two 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 Solfrom 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!
