For Immediate Release: March 16, 2019
Game 62 (Home Game 31)
Vs. Kalamazoo Wings (31-26-2-2, 66 pts)
Saturday, March 16, 2019 – 7:35pm ET
U.S. Bank Arena – Cincinnati, OH
Overview: The Cyclones wrap up their two-game weekend on Saturday night against the Kalamazoo Wings. The Cyclones earned a 5-1 win over the Wheeling Nailers on Friday night, maintaining their 19-point lead over the Toledo Walleye in the ECHL’s Central Division.
Friday Night Recap:The Cincinnati Cyclones (44-10-4-3) took down the Wheeling Nailers, 5-1, on Friday night. Forward Alex Widemanled the way with a pair of goals, while forwards Vas Glotov,Pascal Aquin, and Jesse Schultznetted lone tallies for the Cyclones, who extend their winning streak to four games. Cincinnati was outshot, 23-20 on the evening, with goaltender Ty Rimmerstopping 22 in his Cyclones debut.
Wednesday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (43-10-4-3) earned a come-from-behind, 5-4 win over the Ft. Wayne Komets on Wednesday night. Forwards Jesse Schultz, Myles Powell, Mike Marnell, and Brady Vail, along with defenseman Kurt Gosselin netted the goals for Cincinnati, who overcame a three-goal, third period deficit to pick up the win. Cincinnati outshot Ft. Wayne, 35-20 on the evening, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 16 in the win.
Sunday Afternoon Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (42-10-4-3) picked up a 4-3 shootout win over the Kansas City Mavericks on Sunday afternoon. Forward Judd Peterson led the way with a pair of goals, while defenseman Andrew DeBrincat netted once for the ‘Clones in regulation. Forward Alex Wideman scored the lone goal in the shootout. The Team engaged in a physical affair as well, and the teams combined for 134 minutes in penalties, including four Game Misconducts. Cincinnati was outshot, 38-29 on the afternoon, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 35 in the win.
Previewing Kalamazoo: The Wings currently sit in fourth place in the ECHL’s Central Division, two points ahead of the Wheeling Nailers in fifth, one point back of the Ft. Wayne Komets in third. Kalamazoo is 4-5-1-0 in their last 10 games, and are coming off a 5-4 loss to the Toledo Walleye on Friday night. The Wings enter Saturday with the League’s sixth-ranked offense, averaging 3.46 goals per game and the third ranked power play, converting at a 21.7% clip. They are led offensively by forward Chris Collinswho has accounted for 26 goals and 32 assists through 49 games. He is followed by forwards Tanner Sorenson(19g, 37a) and Kyle Blaney(10, 29a) who round out the top three. In goal, Jake Hildebrandhas appeared in 40 games, amassing a record of 20-14-0-1, along with a 3.57 goals-against average and an .890 saver percentage.
Inside the Series: Saturday night marks the finale of the 11-game season series between Cincinnati and Kalamazoo, with the Cyclones holding an 8-1-1-0 advantage through the first 10 games. The ‘Clones have outscored the Wings, 42-22, this season.
Next Game Preview: Cincinnati welcomes back the Wheeling Nailers on Wednesday, in the final game of their eight-game season series. The Cyclones have a 6-1-0-0 record through the first six games, including a 5-1 win on Friday night.
Home Sweet Home: The Cyclones are in the midst of a five-game homestand, and currently have the League’s best home record at 25-1-2-2. Their one regulation loss is the fewest in the ECHL, and Cincinnati has a League-high 135 goals scored at home, as well as a League-low 62 goals allowed. The Cyclones have seen special teams success at home as well, ranking second at home on the power play at 20.6% (27/131), and seventh at home on the penalty kill at 85.1% (97/114).
Point Men: Forward Brady Vail saw his 10-game point streak come to an end in Friday’s 5-1 win over the Wheeling Nailers, accounting for seven goals and eight assists in that time. Forward Jesse Schultz has accounted for points in 12 of his last 14 games, totaling seven goals and 16 assists in that time, and he leads the ECHL in scoring with 73 points (20g, 53a). Forward Vas Glotov has points in 12 of his last 15 games, totaling seven goals and 11 assists while forward Alex Wideman has accounted for nine goals and 10 assists in his last 18 games, and is second on the team with 22 goals and 36 assists. Finally, forward Pascal Aquin has points in six of his last nine games (4g, 6a) and is tied for fourth in League rookie scoring with 24 goals and 29 assists.
League Leaders: Cincinnati currently boasts a pair of League-leaders in forward Jesse Schultz and goaltender Michael Houser. Schultz currently paces the ECHL in both points (73) and assists (53) and has also added 20 goals. Houser currently leads the League in wins with 25, fewest losses with five, goals-against average at 2.15, and is tied for fourth in save percentage at .921. He is 18-2-2 in his last 22 games, allowing two or fewer goals in 14 of them. Houser was also named the Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Month for December after a perfect 6-0-0-0 record along with a 1.17 goals against average and a .950 save percentage.
Man Advantage: The Cyclones are 26 for their last 81 on the power play and now ranks 14th in the ECHL with a 17.7% conversion rate on the power play (47/266).
Good in All Areas: The Cyclones boast the League’s top offense, averaging 4.02 goals per game, and the top defense, having allowed a miniscule 2.39 goals per 60 minutes and outscoring teams 245-146. Starting and finishing games have been a specialty for Cincinnati, as they have a League-leading 90 first period goals while only allowing 45, and have allowed 40 goals in the third period. Cincinnati is outscoring the opposition, 79-40, in the final 20 minutes of play, and are 31-1-0-2. when leading through two periods. They have given up more than three goals in regulation just nine times this season.
Cyclones Clinch Playoff Spot: The Cyclones are the first team to clinch a spot in the 2019 Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by Smile Direct Club. The Cyclones clinched their berth by virtue of the Wheeling Nailers losing to Ft. Wayne on Wednesday night. This will the 10thtrip to the postseason for the Cyclones since the 2006-07 season, and the third berth in the last four seasons. Cincinnati has two Kelly Cup Championships to their credit; a 4 games to 2 series win over the Las Vegas Wranglers in 2008, and a 4 games to 1 victory over the Idaho Steelheads in 2010. The Cyclones made a third trip to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2014 where they lost to the Alaska Aces in six games.
Knodel Named AMI Graphics ECHL Plus Performer of the Month: Cincinnati Cyclones defenseman Eric Knodel has been named the recipient of the AMI Graphics ECHL Plus Performer of the Month for February, after posting an on-ice rating of plus-16 through 13 games during the month. He joins forward Alex Wideman, who was co-recipient of the AMI Graphics ECHL Plus Performer of the Month in December. Knodel posted an even or better rating in 12 of his 13 games during the month, including pair or plus-four games- an 8-1 road win over the Maine Mariners on February 8, and a 5-4 overtime victory against Adirondack on February 17. He ranks second among ECHL defensemen, and sixth overall in the league, with a plus-39 rating this season, and is also tied for second among blueliners with 15 goals and is also tied for second with 44 points.
Packed Schedule: The Cyclones are in the midst of a stretch of 29 games in 59 days. Cincinnati will play three games in three days on four separate occasions during that time, a pair of four-game-in-five-days stretches, two stretches of seven-games in 10 days, and one of 10 games in 17 days.
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!
