For Immediate Release: January 12, 2019
Game 37 (Road Game 18)
Vs. Kansas City Mavericks (19-14-1-1, 40 pts)
Saturday, January 12, 2018 – 8:05pm ET
Silverstein Eye Centers Arena – Independence, MO
Overview: The Cyclones earned a point for the 15th time in the last 17 outings with a 7-6 overtime loss to the Kansas City Mavericks on Friday night. Despite the loss, the Cyclones remain two points up on the Toledo Walleye for first place in the Western Conference.
Last Night Recap:The Cincinnati Cyclones (23-7-3-3) fell in overtime to the Kansas City Mavericks, 7-6, on Friday night. Forwards Alex Wideman, Myles Powell, Pascal Aquin, and Mike Marnell, along with defensemen Arvin Atwal and Eric Knodel tallied the goals for Cincinnati. Shots in the game were tied, 30-30, with goaltenders Jonas Johansson and Michael Houser combining to stop 23 in the loss.
Wednesday Night Recap:The Cincinnati Cyclones (23-7-2-3) dropped a 4-3 shootout decision to the Utah Grizzlies on Wednesday night. Forwards Defensemen Arvin Atwaland Tobie Bisson, along with forward Mike Marnellnetted the goals for Cincinnati. The Cyclones were outshot, 36-32, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 32 in the loss.
Last Saturday Night Recap:The Cincinnati Cyclones (23-7-2-2) took down the Kalamazoo Wings, 8-5 on Saturday night, in front of 12,143 fans at U.S. Bank Arena. Forwards Nate Mitton, Jesse Schultz, and Alex Wideman each had a pair of goals, while forwards Pascal Aquin and Vas Glotov each netted lone markers. The Cyclones outshot Kalamazoo, 26-15, with goaltender Jonas Johansson stopping 10 in the win.
Previewing Kansas City: The Mavericks are in the thick of the Mountain Division playoff race, currently holding down the fourth and final spot with 40 points, and are just eight points back of Utah in first. Kansas City has won four of their last six games, including a 7-6 overtime win over the Cyclones on Friday night. Like Cincinnati, the Mavericks are stellar on home ice, posting a 14-2-0-0 record at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena and outscoring teams, 73-43. Additionally, the Mavericks have one of the ECHL’s top offenses, ranking seventh with 3.46 goals scored per game. They are led by forward Mark Cooper who has accounted for 13 goals and 22 assists through 27 games played this season. He his followed by forward Rocco Carzo (12g, 18a) and defenseman Willie Raskob (4g, 22a) who round out the top three. In goal, Mason McDonald has a record of 9-2-0-0, along with a 2.61 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.
Inside the Series: Saturday marks thesecond game of a four-game season series between the Cyclones and Mavericks, and the secondof the three this season in Kansas City. Cincinnati won three of the four meetings between the two last season, however the Mavericks are 7-3-0-1 all-time against the Cyclones.
Next Game Preview: Cincinnati returns to divisional play on Friday against the Kalamazoo Wings. Friday will be the eighth of 11 meetings this season between the ‘Clones and Wings, with Cincinnati holding a 6-0-1-0 record through the first seven.
Peterson Reassigned by Rochester: Cincinnati Cyclones forward Judd Peterson has been reassigned by the Rochester Americans, Cincinnati’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. He appeared in a pair of games for the Americans, scoring a goal and registering two minutes of penalties. A native of Duluth, MN, Peterson has appeared in 20 games for the Cyclones this season, accounting for six goals and seven assists. Peterson is in his first full pro season, after appearing in a pair of games for 2017-18, however he did not record a point. Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, the National Hockey League (NHL) affiliate of the Cyclones in 2012, Peterson enjoyed a successful collegiate career at St. Cloud State University, accounting for 65 points (37g, 28a) in 151 career games. He helped the Huskies to an NCHC League championship in 2015-16, and a Regular Season Championship in 2017-18.
Thomas Named Western Conference All-Star Coach :Cincinnati Cyclones head coach Matt Thomas has been selected as the head coach for the Western Conference All-Stars for the upcoming 2019 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic. He was selected as the Western Conference bench boss by virtue of the Cyclones having the top winning percentage in the conference, as the Cyclones are 23-7-2-2, and lead the Central Division with 50 points while owning the league’s top winning percentage at .735. This year’s All-Star Classic is being hosted by the Toledo Walleye on Monday, January 21 at 7 p.m. ET at the Huntington Center, and the game will air live exclusively on NHL Network. A native of Maple Ridge, BC, Thomas was hired by the Cyclones in early August, replacing former head coach Matt Macdonaldwho was named assistant coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins; American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. Thomas is coaching in the All-Star Game for the third time, after previously earning the honor in 2005 with Atlantic City and 2009 with Stockton, which is tied for the most in ECHL history, joining Chris Cichocki, Glen Gulutzan, Davis Payneand Jeff Pyle.
Glotov Named to ECHL All-Star Team: Cincinnati Cyclones forward Vas Glotov had been named the Cyclones’ representative for the upcoming 2019 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic. He will play for the team representing the Western Conference. This year’s All-Star Classic is being hosted by the Toledo Walleye on Monday, January 21 at 7 p.m. ET at the Huntington Center, and the game will air live exclusively on NHL Network. Glotov has appeared in 31 games for the Cyclones this season, accounting for seven goals and 16 assists in that span. A native of Barnaul, RUS, Glotov is in his first full pro season, after making his pro debut last season. He appeared in six games between the Cyclones and Rochester Americans, American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Cyclones, registering a goal and an assist. He spent the prior two seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) appearing in 128 games between the Shawinigan Cataractes and the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, amassing 44 goals and 49 assists in 128 career games. He was a 2016, seventh-round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres.
Fanning the Flames: Forward Jesse Schultz has points in 16 of his last 20 games, accounting for 10 goals and 18 assist in that time, and is now tied for third in ECHL scoring with 41 points (11g, 30a) following a three-assist performance in Friday’s 7-6 overtime loss to Kansas City.
Piling up the Points: The Cyclones have points in 15 of the last 17 games (11-2-0-4) and wins in 16 of their last 24 games (16-4-0-3). Cincinnati has outscored the opposition, 66-47, in the last 17 games.
Defensively Offensive: The Cyclones defensive corps have been contributing to the Cyclones offensive success as of late, accounting for 10 goals and 23 assists in the last 19 games. Eric Knodel has four goals and seven assists in that time, and is currently tied for fourth in ECHL defenseman scoring with eight goals and 17 assists. Additionally, Arvin Atwal has three goals and seven assists, while Tobie Bisson has a goal and six assists. Additionally, Devante Stephens (3g, 1a), Anthony Florentino (2a), and Andrew DeBrincat and Mitch Jones (1a each) have also found the score sheet.
Good in All Areas: The Cyclones are second in ECHL team defense (2.56 GA/GM) and are tied for second in the League in offensive production (3.83G/GM). The Cyclones are outscoring teams, 138-92, and have allowed two or fewer goals in 12 of the last 20 games. Starting and finishing games have been a specialty for Cincinnati, as they are outscoring teams 50-31 in the first period, and have allowed a League-low 20 goals in the third period. Cincinnati is outscoring the opposition, 45-20, in the final 20 minutes of play, and are 16-1-0-2. when leading through two periods. They have given up more than three goals in regulation just six times this season
Houser Named ECHL Goaltender of the Month: Cincinnati Cyclones goaltender Michael Houser has been named the Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Month for December. Houser posted a perfect 6-0-0-0 record along with a 1.17 goals against average and a .950 save percentage. Hailing from Youngstown, OH, Houser allowed two or fewer goals in each of his six contests, and one goal in five of his six starts in December. He was forced to make 22 or more saves in four occasions, with a high of 31 in a 3-1 win over the Toledo Walleye on December 5. Overall, Houser has a record of 12-2-1-0 and leads the ECHL with a 1.74 GAA and a .937 SV%, and he has allowed more than two goals just four times this season. Houser is in his fourth stint with the Cyclones, having spent 41 games in Cincinnati during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, and another 41 during the 2016-17 campaign. He has also appeared in 17 playoff games for Cincinnati as well, turning out a 9-5-3 record with a 2.24 GAA and .915 SV%. He split last season between the Ft. Wayne Komets and Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League (AHL), and has also seen AHL time with the Ontario Reign, San Antonio Rampage, and Cleveland Monsters. In 93 career AHL games, Houser has a 32-26-4-3 record, along with a 2.87 GAA and a .901 SV%. In addition to the Cyclones and Komets, Houser has appeared in ECHL games for the Manchester Monarchs, and has 94-47-10-3 career ECHL record, along with a 2.52 GAA and .917 SV%. Prior to turning pro in 2012, the Youngstown, OH, native spent three seasons with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In 141 games played from 2009-12, the 6’2”, 192-pounder recorded 93 wins to go along with a 2.96 GAA and a .909 SV%.
Wideman Named ECHL Co-Plus Performer of the Month: Cincinnati Cyclones forward Alex Wideman has been named the co-recipient of the AMI Graphics ECHL Plus Performer of the Month for December, after posting an on-ice rating of plus-16 through 12 games during the month. He shares this monthly honor with Wheeling Nailers forward Nick Saracino. A native of St. Louis, MO, Wideman had an even or better rating in every game in December, including a high of plus-3 in Monday’s 4-1 win over the Toledo Walleye, and he posted a plus-2 rating on six other occasions during the month. He ranks second on the team in scoring with 32 points (9g, 23a), and is currently on a seven-game point streak where he has totaled five goals and six assists in that time. He has a goal and an assist in each of his last four games, as well. Wideman is in his first season as a member of the Cyclones after signing an American Hockey League (AHL) contract this past summer by the Rochester Americans, Cincinnati’s AHL affiliate. Wideman accounted for 38 goals and 65 assists in 123 games with the Indy Fuel over the last two seasons, and has also seen ECHL time with the Evansville Icemen, accounting for 15 goals and 24 assists in 58 games. He has 24 career AHL games to his credit with the Binghamton Senators and Rockford IceHogs, totaling four goals and 14 assists. Prior to turning pro, the St. Louis, MO, native spent four season at Miami (OH) University, where he amassed 24 goals and 32 assists in 140 career games.
Welcome Matt Thomas: The Cyclones enter the 2018-19 season with a new head coach. In early August, Cincinnati hired Matt Thomas as the team’s new bench boss. He replaced Matt Macdonald who was named assistant coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins; American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. A native of Maple Ridge, BC, Thomas has extensive head coaching experience in the ECHL, spanning 11 seasons with the Atlantic Boardwalk Bullies, Fresno Falcons, and Stockton Thunder from 2002-2013. Thomas served two seasons as an assistant coach with Atlantic City, including helping the Boardwalk Bullies to a Kelly Cup Championship in 2003, before assuming the role of head coach and Director of Hockey Operations with the team prior to 2004-2005. He compiled a 42-22-8 mark in his lone season as Atlantic City’s bench boss, and served as the head coach for the 2005 ECHL All-Star Game. He then moved on to Fresno prior to the 2005-06 campaign, leading the Falcons to a 43-15-14 mark along with a trip to the Western Conference Finals. Over the next two seasons in Fresno, Thomas compiled a 76-41-17 record, with trips to the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs on both occasions. He coached the Falcons during the first half of 2008-09, leading the team to an 18-10-2 mark before the team ceased operations midseason. Thomas was not out of work for long however, as he was named head coach of Stockton shortly after, and finished the year with a record of 22-16-3, and a trip to the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Thomas went on to coach the Thunder for four more seasons, amassing a mark of 141-111-36, reaching the post season each year, including a trip to the 2013 Kelly Cup Finals. He enters the 2018-19 campaign as the ECHL’s sixth-winningest coach with a career record of 342-225-80, just one win back of fifth place all time. He is also the all-time leader in playoff games coached with 97, and ranks third with 49 playoff wins.
The 2018-19 season is HERE, and the Cincinnati Cyclones want YOU along for the ride! Single game, Group, and Season Tickets are on sale NOW 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!
