For Immediate Release: January 29, 2020
Game 44 (Home Game 21)
Vs. Orlando Solar Bears (19-16-5-1, 44 pts)
Wednesday, January 29, 2020, 7:35pm ET
Heritage Bank Center - Cincinnati, OH
Video Preview | Last Game Highlights
Overview: The Cyclones begin a three-game homestand on Wednesday night against the Orlando Solar Bears. Cincinnati is coming off a 4-1 loss to the Wheeling Nailers on Saturday night, snapping their three-game winning streak in the process. The ‘Clones are six points up on the Toledo Walleye for the top spot in the ECHL’s Central Division, and Wednesday’s game will be Cincinnati’s final non-division game until February 26- a stretch of 13 contests.
Saturday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (26-11-6-0) fell to the Wheeling Nailers, 4-1, on Saturday night. Defenseman Kurt Gosselin scored the lone goal for the Cyclones, who see their three-game winning streak come to an end. Cincinnati outshot the Nailers, 29-27 on the evening, with goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopping 23 in the loss.
Friday Night Recap:The Cincinnati Cyclones (26-10-6-0) picked up a 3-2, come-from-behind overtime win over the Wheeling Nailers on Friday night. Forwards Darik Angeli and Mason Mitchell scored the goals in regulation, while defenseman Frank Hora scored the winner in overtime. Cincinnati outshot Wheeling, 36-22 on the evening, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 20 in the win. Houser had a minor equipment issue late in the third, and was replaced by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who played the final 4:08 of regulation. He made a save on the only shot he faced.
Last Sunday Afternoon Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (25-10-6-0) earned their 25th win of the season on Sunday afternoon, taking down the Rapid City Rush, 3-1. Forwards Jesse Schultz, Cody Milan, and Nate Mitton scored the goals for Cincinnati. The Cyclones outshot the Rush, 23-22, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 21 in the win.
Previewing Orlando: The Solar Bears enter Wednesday night on a four-game winning streak, following a 3-2 win over the Jacksonville IceMen on Monday evening. Orlando has won five of their last seven games, and are 6-3-1-0 in their last 10 games. The Solar Bears currently rank second in the League on the penalty kill at 88.0% (147/167), and they are also fifth with 2.78 goals allowed per game. Offensively, they are averaging 2.85 goals per game, and are 17-1-2-0 when leading through two periods. They are led offensively by forward Tristin Langan who has accounted for 12 goals and 18 assists through 30 games played. He is followed by forward Taylor Cammarata (9g, 18a) and defenseman Michael Brodzinski (4g, 22a) who round out the top three. In goal, Clint Windsor leads the way with a 9-7-2-0 record, along with 2.42 goals-against average along and a .925 goals-against average.
Inside the Series: This will be the lone meeting of the season between Cincinnati and Orlando, and the first matchup since the 2017-18 season. Cincinnati is 4-8-1-0 all-time against Orlando.
Next Game Preview: Cincinnati continues their three-game homestand on Friday night against the Indy Fuel, in the eighth of 11 meetings this season Cincinnati is 3-3-1-0 against the Fuel this season, and three of the final four games will be played in Cincinnati.
Luukkonen Recalled: The Rochester Americans, Cincinnati’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate have recalled Cyclones goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Named the Cyclones’ representative for the 2020 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic Luukkonen has skated in 22 games for the Cyclones this season, accounting for a record of 12-6-3-0, and he ranks third with a 2.16 goals-against average, to go along with a .916 save-percentage. He is also tied for third in the ECHL with three shutouts. Luukkonen has allowed more than three goals on just six occasions this season, and has made 25 or more saves on 10 occasions. He was named the Warrior Hockey/ECHL Goaltender of the Month for December after posting a record of 6-2-1-0 and a 1.88 goals-against average along with a .925 save percentage.
Johansson Earns first NHL Call-up: Former Cyclones goaltender Jonas Johansson has been recalled to the Buffalo Sabres; Cincinnati’s National Hockey League (NHL) affiliate. Johansson has appeared in 20 games this season for the Rochester Americans, Cincinnati’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, posting a record of 13-3-3, and he ranks third in the AHL with a 2.19 goals-against average and is fifth with a .925 save percentage. He has spent parts of the last two seasons with the Cyclones, accounting for an overall record of 32-16-2-2, along with a 2.86 GAA and a .909 SV%. Last season was his best in a Cyclones uniform, as he turned out a mark of 18-5-1-2, along with a 2.60 GAA and a .909 SV%.
Comeback Kids: Friday’s 3-2 overtime win over the Wheeling Nailers marked Cincinnati’s 12th come-from-behind win of the season, and the fourth time that the Cyclones have overcome a 2-0 deficit to win a game. Friday’s win also improved Cincinnati’s record in one-goal games to 13-3-6-0.
Schmidt Claimed off Waivers: The Cyclones have claimed defenseman Connor Schmidt off of waivers from the Kalamazoo Wings. The Flat Rock, MI, native has appeared in 13 games for Kalamazoo this season, dishing out a pair of assists in the process. He split last season between the Toledo Walleye and the Huntsville Havoc of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), accounting for 11 goals and six assists in 43 combined games between the two teams. He began his pro career in 2017-18, skating in 26 games for the ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers and recording five assists. Prior to turning pro, the 26-year-old played collegiately for Utica College in 2016-17, following stints at Arizona State University and Ferris State University. Overall in 93 collegiate games, Schmidt totaled five goals and 17 assists, along with 131 minutes in penalties.
Scoresheet Staples: Forwards Jesse Schultz and Brady Vail have found themselves on the scoresheet more often than not in recent games. Schultz saw his six-game point streak snapped in Friday’s 3-2 overtime win over the Wheeling Nailers, accounting for four goals and five assists in that time, while Vail has points in 15 of his last 19 games overall, amassing four goals and 15 assists in that span.
PK Climbing: The Cyclones penalty kill has risen to seventh in the ECHL, having successfully killed off 84.0% (137/163) of oppositional power plays. Cincinnati has killed off 42-of-48 opponent power plays in 2020, and have allowed eight power play goals on their last 59 shorthanded chances overall.
Strong D: Cincinnati is second in the ECHL with 2.53 goals allowed per game, and pace the League with 25.72 shots against per 60 minutes. They are the only team in the ECHL averaging under 27 shots against per game, and the Cyclones have allowed 27 shots or fewer in 15-straight games. The Cyclones have allowed two or fewer goals in 17 of their last 27 games, and have given up more than three on just 10 occasions. They are 25-4-4-0 this season when allowing three or fewer goals.
Home is Where the Wins Are:The Cyclones are one of the top home teams in the ECHL this season, posting a record of 15-3-2-0 on home ice, and are outscoring teams, 70-42, at Heritage Bank Center. Cincinnati tied an ECHL record with 30 home wins last season against just two regulation losses, and they outscored teams 155-73 on home ice, which was the lowest goals-against margin at home in the League.
Milestone Night: December 13 was the 1,000th professional hockey game for Cyclones forward Jesse Schultz. The 37-year-old had a big game, dishing out four assists in a 5-2 win over the Kalamazoo Wings. Schultz recently recorded his 900th professional point, and currently sits at 361 goals and 571 assists across 1,012 games, in a career that has seen him spend time in North America in the ECHL, American Hockey League (AHL), and Central Hockey League (CHL), and he also skated in a pair of games for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also seen time overseas in Denmark, England, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, and Sweden.
Holding the Lead: Cincinnati has an 16-2-2-0 mark when scoring the game’s first goal, and they are perfect in regulation when leading through two periods this season, accounting for a mark of 18-0-2-0.
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!
