For Immediate Release: December 13, 2017
Game 23 (Home Game 11)
Vs. Ft. Wayne Komets (13-6-2-0, 28 PTS)
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 - 7:35pm ET
U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
Overview: Cincinnati fell for a fourth game in a row back on Saturday, dropping a 3-1 decision to the Tulsa Oilers. Despite the skid, the Cyclones have kept it close, as all but one game on their skid has been decided by more than two goals. The Cyclones are in the midst of a season-long six-game home stand, with Wednesday serving as game four of six.
Saturday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (12-9-1-0) we upended by the Tulsa Oilers, 3-1, on Saturday night. Forward Jesse Schultz scored the lone goal for Cincinnati, while forward Justin Danforth extended his point streak to 10 games. Cincinnati was outshot, 29-25 on the night, with goaltender Jonas Johansson stopping 29 in the loss.
Thursday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (12-8-1-0) fell to the Orlando Solar Bears, 5-3, on Thursday night. Defenseman Eric Knodel, along with forwards Brandon McNally and Mike Barrett netted the goals for the Cyclones. Cincinnati outshot the Solar Bears, 30-19 on the night, with goaltender Jason Kasdorf stopping 14 in defeat.
Last Tuesday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (12-7-1-0) fell to the Orlando Solar Bears, 5-2, on Tuesday night. Forwards Rob De Fulviis and Jesse Schultz lit the lamp for Cincinnati. The Cyclones outshot Orlando, 25-24 on the night, with goaltenders Jonas Johansson and Jason Kasdorf combining to stop 19 in the loss.
Previewing Ft. Wayne: The Komets are one of the ECHL’s hottest teams in recent week, winning five in a row and eight of their last nine contest. Their last defeat was a 4-1 home loss to the Cyclones back on November 25. Ft. Wayne is currently third in the ECHL in scoring, averaging 3.86 goals per game, and fifth with 35.62 shots per game. The Komets penalty kill has also been successful this season, killing off 86.8% of oppositional power plays. Offensively, they are led by forwards Garrett Thompson (11g, 12a) and Shawn Szydlowski (9g, 14a) who each have 23 points. They are followed by forward Gabriel Desjardins (7g, 8a) and defenseman Jason Binkley (3g, 12a). In goal, former Cyclone Michael Houser has posted a 9-5-2-0 record along with a 2.89 goals-against average and a 8.98 save percentage.
Inside the Series: Wednesday evening marks Ft. Wayne’s first of four scheduled trips to U.S. Bank Arena this season. Cincinnati and Ft. Wayne have already met twice this season, with Cincinnati winning both contests.
Next Game Preview: Cincinnati continues their season-long six-game homestand on Friday night when the Quad City Mallards come to town for the first of two games on the weekend. Cincinnati beat the Mallards on November 14, and will meet seven more times this season.
NEED-TO-KNOW
Anthony Peters Returns: Cyclones goaltender Anthony Peters has been returned from his American Hockey League (AHL) call-up with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Peters skated in three games with the Penguins, compiling a record of 0-2-1. Peters ranks fifth in the ECHL with a 2.26 goals-against average and fourth with a .929 save percentage, along with a 7-4-1-0 record. He has won six of the last eight games he has skated in with the Cyclones, allowing two or fewer goals in five of those contests.
Blake Thompson Traded: The Cincinnati Cyclones have traded defenseman Blake Thompson to the Adirondack Thunder, in exchange for future considerations. Thompson appeared in 11 games with Cincinnati, dishing out an assist, and registering a plus-5 on-ice rating.
Arvin Atwal Reassigned to Cincinnati: Defenseman Arvin Atwal has been reassigned to Cincinnati by the Rochester Americans; American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Cyclones. Signed to a Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO) on November 16, Atwal skated in a pair of games for the Americans, dishing out an assist and racking up 17 minutes in penalties. He has appeared in 11 games for the Cyclones this season and has accounted for a goal and three assists in that time.
Perfect 10: With an assist in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Tulsa Oilers, forward Justin Danforth has extended his point streak to 10 games, accounting for six goals and eight assists in that time. The Oshawa, ON, native his having a stellar rookie season, leading all ECHL rookies in both points (25) and goals (12). His 25 points also ranks him eighth overall in League scoring.
First for the Kid: Cyclones rookie forward Mike Barrett recorded his first professional goal in last Thursday’s 5-3 loss to the Orlando Solar Bears.
Justin Vaive Returns: Cyclones forward and assistant captain Justin Vaive has been returned from the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Belleville Senators. He skated in six games with the Senators, however did not record a point. He appeared in two games with Cincinnati at the beginning of the season, lighting the lamp once in that time. He has spent the majority if his pro career in the AHL, accounting for 31 goals and 36 assists in 280 games. He has appeared in 62 ECHL games and has totaled 41 points (19g, 22a) in that time.
Secondary Scoring: Cincinnati’s second and third lines, along with the defensive corps, have made major contributions offensively in recent games, accounting for nine goals and 13 assists over the last nine outings. Leading the way is forward Rob De Fulviis who has four goals, followed by defenseman Devante Stephens who has accounted for four assists in that time.
Reaching New Heights: Cyclones forward Rob De Fulviis has set a new career-high in goals and points with six tallies on the season. The Toronto, ON, native recorded a goal and three assists in 26 games with the Cyclones last season.
Limited Opportunity: Cincinnati is seventh in the ECHL with 2.73 goals against per game. The Cyclones have allowed three or fewer goals in eight of their last 10 games, and have given up more than three goals on just five occasions.
Finishing What They Started: The Cyclones have a 9-1-0-0 record when leading through two periods this season. This is a continuing trend from last season, when the Cyclones were 23-1-3-1 when leading after one, and 26-1-2-0 when leading after 40 minutes.
New Affiliation: This offseason, the Cyclones, in conjunction with the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Buffalo Sabres, announced a new affiliation agreement. For Cincinnati, the move comes following a 10-year partnership with the Nashville Predators, while the Sabres recently concluded a two-year relationship with the now-defunct Elmira Jackals. This affiliation will be a reunion of sorts for the cities of Cincinnati and Buffalo, as the Sabres’ American Hockey League (AHL) Affiliate from 1971-1974 was the Cincinnati Swords. The Rochester Americans will serve as Cincinnati’s new AHL affiliate, and have been the AHL affiliate of the Sabres since 2011. This is not the first time Cincinnati and Rochester have been affiliated, as the two clubs teamed up in 2010-11 when the Americans were affiliated with the Florida Panthers.
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