For Immediate Release: April 7, 2017
Game 71 (Road Game 35)
Vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (39-25-5-1, 84 pts)
Friday, April 7, 2017 - 7:00pm ET
Bon Secours Wellness Arena- Greenville, SC
Overview: The Cyclones head south for the final two games of the regular season, beginning on Friday in Greenville. The Cyclones are coming off of a 3-2 shootout loss to the Indy Fuel on Sunday afternoon, and are now three points back of both the South Carolina Stingrays and Orlando Solar Bears for the fourth and final playoff spot in the South Division.
Sunday Afternoon Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (36-30-4-0) dropped a 3-2 shootout decision to the Indy Fuel on Sunday afternoon. Forward Brandon McNally and defenseman Craig Dalrymple netted the goals for the Cyclones. The Cyclones outshot Indy, 39-31 on the night, with goaltender Michael Houser turning aside 28 in defeat.
Saturday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (36-29-4-0) earned a 5-3 win over the Toledo Walleye on Saturday night. Forwards Nick Huard, Justin MacDonald, Seth Ambroz, and Christiaan Minella, along with defenseman Martin Lefebvre scored the goals for the Cyclones. The Cyclones were outshot, 32-19 on the night, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 29 in the win.
Playoff Scenarios: The Cyclones enter Friday’s game three points back of both the Orlando Solar Bears and South Carolina Stingrays for the fourth and final playoff spot in the South Division. The Cyclones need a win over Greenville coupled with a loss by the Stingrays on Friday night in order to set up a win-and-you’re-in situation on Saturday against South Carolina. If the Stingrays collect a win on Friday, Cincinnati can still skate in the Kelly Cup Playoffs if they get wins in their final two games AND Orlando loses their final two against the Florida Everblades.
Previewing Greenville: The Swamp Rabbits have already clinched their spot in this year’s Kelly Cup Playoffs, and four points ahead of both South Carolina and Orlando in second place in the South Division. They have won three of their last four games, however are coming off of a 5-4 overtime loss to the Atlanta Gladiators on Sunday. They are led by forward Angelo Miceli who has amassed 76 points (22g, 54a) through 66 games played this season. He is followed by forwards Brandon Alderson (25g, 26a) and Ahti Oksanen (21g, 31a) who round out the top three. In goal, Mackenzie Skapski has an 18-10-1-0 record, along with a 3.24 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage.
Inside the Series: This is the second and final meeting this season between the Cyclones and Swamp Rabbits, with Greenville taking a 3-2 decision back on Sunday, January 15. This will be the fourth of five games in the South Division for the Cyclones as well, with Cincinnati posting an 0-2-1-0 record in the first three games.
Next Game Preview: The Cyclones wrap up the regular season on Saturday night in Charleston, SC, against the South Carolina Stingrays.
NEED-TO-KNOW
Cyclones Unveil Playoff Packages: The Cincinnati Cyclones have announced ticket packages for the upcoming 2017 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs. Cyclones playoff packages start at $288 per seat for the general public, and include all 16 potential playoff games. Current 36-game full-season ticket holders already have games one and two of the 2017 playoffs included in their season ticket packages, therefore 14-game plans are available starting at $252 per seat. Single game tickets will be announced once the Cyclones officially clinch a spot in the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Weegar Makes NHL Debut: Former Cincinnati Cyclones defenseman MacKenzie Weegar made his National Hockey League (NHL) debut with the Florida Panthers in Monday night, in a 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. He dished out pair of hits, served a minor penalty, and recorded a shot on goal in 16:45 of ice time. A native of Ottawa, ON, Weegar skated in 21 games for the Cyclones during the 2014-15 season where he totaled a goal and 12 assists in that time. The rest of his pro career has been spent in the American Hockey League (AHL) where he has amassed 22 goals and 44 assists in 120 career games.
Cyclones Claim Elbrecht: The Cincinnati Cyclones have claimed defenseman Tyler Elbrecht off of waivers from the Manchester Monarchs. He has appeared in 63 games this season between the Monarchs and Missouri Mavericks, accounting for six goals and 13 assists along with 154 penalty minutes. A native of Edwardsville, IL, Elbrecht has spent the entirety of his four-year pro career in the ECHL, suiting up for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, Idaho Steelheads, and Toledo Walleye, in addition to the Mavericks and Monarchs. In 260 career ECHL games, Elbrecht has accounted for 11 goals and 41 assists, along with 591 penalty minutes.
Crowded at the Top: Forward Nick Huard extended his Cyclones scoring lead to 47 points (17g, 30a) with an assist in Sunday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Indy Fuel. He has a three goals and seven assists in his last 10 games, He is followed by a pair of 44-point scorers in Shane Walsh (18g, 26a) and Jordan Sims (15g, 29a).
Leading By Example: Forward Shawn O’Donnell had an assist in last Saturday’s 5-3 win over the Toledo Walleye, and dished out two more in Friday night’s 4-3 loss to the Ft. Wayne Komets. He now has points in 11 of his last 16 games (6g, 14a).
Welcome back: Defenseman Eric Knodel dished out a pair of assists in last Saturday’s 5-3 win over the Toledo Walleye, and netted his eighth goal of the season on Friday night in the loss to the Ft. Wayne Komets. He has points in five of his last eight games (3g, 4a), and has accounted for three goals and six assists since returning from injury on February 28 (12 games).
Milestone for Mac: Cincinnati Cyclones Head Coach Matt Macdonald collected his one-hundredth career victory, following a 2-1 win over the Alaska Aces on March 15. The third-year head coach has compiled a career record of 100-83-11-13. After narrowly missing the playoffs in his first season behind the bench, Macdonald’s second season saw a 36-27-5-4 record that featured an amazing run down the stretch to help Cincinnati capture the seventh seed. The Cyclones ultimately fell to the Ft. Wayne Komets in a thrilling first round series 4 games to 3. The Niagara Falls, ON, native also served as an assistant coach for the Cyclones for two seasons upon his retirement from playing in 2012. He helped lead the Cyclones to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances in 2012-13 and 2013-14, and a trip to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2014 where the ‘Clones fell to the Alaska Aces 4 games to 2.
Stay Connected!: Follow the latest news on Twitter (@CincyCyclones), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and more! Also, for all of the latest news and notes, head over to www.cycloneshockey.com.
The 2016-17 season is underway, and the Cincinnati Cyclones want you along for the ride as they march towards another Kelly Cup Championship! 2016-17 single game tickets and packages along with group and Season Ticket Packages are available NOW! Call (513) 421-PUCK to reserve your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
