For Immediate Release: February 22, 2020
Game 56 (Home Game 29)
Vs. Toledo Walleye (30-15-4-1, 65 pts)
Saturday, February 21, 2020, 7:35pm ET
Heritage Bank Center - Cincinnati, OH
Last Night’s Highlights| Last Night’s Postgame Comments
Overview: The Cyclones wrap up their season-long six-game homestand on Saturday evening against the Toledo Walleye. Cincinnati earned their fourth shutout of the season with a 3-0 win over the Wheeling Nailers on Friday evening, and have now won four in a row following a five-game skid. Cincinnati still maintains the top spot in the ECHL’s Central Division, nine points ahead of Toledo.
Last Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (33-14-7-1) earned their fourth shutout of the season with a 3-0 win over the Wheeling Nailers on Friday night. DefensemanJohnny Coughlin, along with forwards Jesse Schultz and Mason Mitchell scored the goals for the ‘Clones. In goal, Jamie Phillips stopped all 11 shots he faced to earn his first shutout as a Cyclone. The Cyclones outshot Wheeling, 30-11, and the power play converted on one of three chances.
Thursday Night Recap:The Cincinnati Cyclones (32-14-7-1) took down the Toledo Walleye on Thursday night by a score of 4-2. Defenseman Justin Baudry netted a pair of goals to extend his pointstreak to five games (4g, 6a), while forwards Justin Vaive and Brady Vail each netted lone tallies. The Cyclones outshot the Walleye, 31-30, with goaltender Jamie Phillips steering aside 28 in the win.
Sunday Afternoon Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (31-14-7-1) collected a 6-5 win over the Indy Fuel on Sunday afternoon. Defenseman Tobie Bisson, along with forwards Mason Mitchell, Nate Mitton, Pascal Aquin, Brady Vail, and Jesse Schultz all recorded goals for Cincinnati, who earn their second win in a row. Cincinnati was outshot by the Fuel, 41-22, with goaltender Jamie Phillips steering aside 36 in the win.
Previewing Toledo: The Walleye continue to lurk within striking distance of the Cyclones, currently sitting nine points back of Cincinnati for the top spot in the ECHL’s Central Division, with five games in hand. They are 6-3-1-0 in their last 10 games, and are coming off a 5-1 win over the Ft. Wayne Komets on Friday night. Toledo finds themselves in the top 10 in numerous statistical categories, including penalty kill (88.0%- 169/192) and power play (23.7%- 44/186) where they are second, goals-for (3.77/gm) where they are third, and goals-against where they are seventh (2.92). They are led offensively by forward Josh Kestner who has accounted for a team-high 24 goals along with31 assists for 55 points. He is followed by forwards Shane Berschbach (16g, 32a), and TJ Hensick (15g, 32a) who round out the top three. In goal, Billy Christopuolos leads the way with a record of 18-3-3-0, along with a 2.49 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage.
Inside the Series: This will be the eighth of 10 meetings on the season between Cincinnati and Toledo, with the Cyclones posting a 2-2-2-1 mark through the first seven games, following Thursday’s 4-2 Cyclones win.
Next Game Preview: Cincinnati begins a home-and-home on Wednesday night when they travel to Greenville to battle the Swamp Rabbits, in a game that was rescheduled from March 20. Cincinnati took the first meeting by a 3-2 score on New Year’s Eve by a score of 3-2.
Houser Reassigned: The Rochester Americans, American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Cyclones have reassigned goaltender Michael Houser back to Cincinnati. Houser has skated in 19 games for Cincinnati this season, posting a record of 11-3-4-1, along with a 2.48 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage.
Welcome to Cincinnati: Defenseman Johnny Coughlin scored the game-winner in Friday’s 3-0 win over the Wheeling Nailers, in his first game as a ‘Clone. Acquired in a trade from Norfolk on Thursday Coughlin now has 10 goals and eight assists in 48 games this season, after leading the Admirals in defenseman scoring with nine goals and eight helpers.
Cyclones Make Five-Player Trade with Norfolk: The Cincinnati Cyclones have acquired forward Ben Holmstrom and defenseman Johnny Coughlin from the Norfolk Admirals, in exchange for forwards Darik Angeli and Freddy Gerard, along with defenseman Scott Dornbrock. Holmstrom ranked fifth on the Admirals in scoring with nine goals and 10 assists through 42 games and was second on the team with 61 minutes in penalties. The Colorado Springs, CO, native is in his first ECHL stint after spending the previous nine seasons in both the American Hockey League (AHL) and National Hockey League (NHL). He has spent the last four seasons as the captain of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL, totaling 25 goals and 44 assists, along with 355 penalty minutes, over 268 games. Prior to a stint with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers in 2014-15 in which he accounted for five goals and 15 assists through 65 games, he captained the former Adirondack Phantoms of the AHL from 2010-2014. He skated in 256 games with the Phantoms, amassing 47 goals and 73 assists. He also racked up 393 minutes in penalties. Overall, in 586 AHL games, Holmstrom has accounted for 79 goals and 132 assists, along with 840 minutes in penalties. Additionally, Holmstrom has seen two separate stints with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, skating in a pair of games during the 2010-11 season, and another five the following year in 2011-12. Hailing from Fairport, NY, Coughlin led all Admiral defenseman and was tied for sixth on the team overall in scoring with 17 points on nine goals and eight assists. Currently in his second pro season, Coughlin began his pro career late in the 2018-19 season with the Maine Mariners, appearing in 10 games and dishing out four assists. Prior to turning pro, Coughlin enjoyed a successful four-year career at the College of the Holy Cross, accounting for 17 goals and 44 assists across 143 games. Angeli departs the Cyclones with nine goals and a team-leading 30 assists through 51 games. This will be his third-career stint with the Admirals, having played there during the 2016-17 and 2018-19 seasons. Dornbrock skated in 20 games for the ‘Clones and dished out six assists in that time, while Gerard had a pair of helpers in 16 games with Cincinnati.
When it Rains, it Pours: After being held to three or fewer goals in nine of their last 11 games, the Cyclones have scored 18 goals over their last four games, leading them to four wins in a row.
Defensively Offensive: Cyclones defenseman Justin Baudry pushed his point streak to six games after recording an assist in Friday’s 3-0 win over the Wheeling Nailers. He has accounted for four goals and seven assists in that span, and has multi-point efforts in four of his last six games, including a career-high three points (3a) in Sunday’s 6-5 win over the Indy Fuel. He is now fourth on the team in scoring with 35 points (11g, 24a).
Home Sweet Home: Cincinnati is in the middle of a six-game homestand , and are 4-1-0-0 through the first three games. Cincinnati is one of the top teams at home this season, posting an 22-4-3-0 record while outscoring teams, 103-66. Their 22 home wins are tied for the most in the ECHL, while their four regulation losses are the fewest.
Strong D: Cincinnati is third in the ECHL with 2.62 goals allowed per game, and pace the League with 25.95 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 23 of their last 27 games. The Cyclones have allowed three or fewer goals in 32 of their last 40 games, and have given up more than three on just 11 occasions. They are 30-5-5-1 this season when allowing three or fewer goals.
Holding the Lead: Cincinnati has an 21-2-2-1 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 20-0-2-0.
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!
