GAME PREVIEW: 2/29 vs. Wheeling

GAME PREVIEW: 2/29 vs. Wheeling

For Immediate Release: February 29, 2020

 

Game 59 (Road Game 28)

Vs. Wheeling Nailers (24-24-5-0, 53 pts)

Saturday, February 29, 2020, 7:05pm ET

WesBanco Arena - Wheeling, WV

Last Night HighlightsLast Night Postgame Comments

 

Overview: The Cyclones step back into divisional play on Saturday night when they travel to Wheeling to take on the Nailers. Cincinnati picked up a 4-1 over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Friday night, keeping their five-point divisional lead over the Toledo Walleye intact. 

Last Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (34-16-7-1) collected a 4-1 win over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Friday night. Forward Cody Milan scored a pair of goals, while defenseman Matt Spencer and forward Ben Johnson added lone markers for Cincinnati, who snapped their two-game skid. Cincinnati outshot the Swamp Rabbits, 19-17, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 16 in the win.

Wednesday Night Recap:The Cincinnati Cyclones (33-16-7-1) dropped a 5-2 decision to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Wednesday night, in the front end of home-and-home series between the two team. Forward Phil Hudon and defenseman Tobie Bisson scored the goals for Cincinnati. Cincinnati outshot Greenville, 30-25, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 20 in the loss.

Last Saturday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (33-15-7-1) dropped a close 2-1 affair to the Toledo Walleye on Saturday night, in the finale of a six-game homestand. Defenseman Tobie Bisson scored the lone goal for the Cyclones, who see their four-game winning-streak come to an end. Cincinnati outshot Toledo, 41-22, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 20 in the loss.

Previewing Wheeling:  The Nailers remain within striking distance of the fourth and final playoff spot in the ECHL’s Central Division, siting just five points back of the Indy Fuel. They have dropped four of their last five games, and are coming off a 3-2 loss to the Maine Mariners on Friday night. The Nailers have had a lot of tight games in recent weeks, as eight of their last  of their 12 games have been decided by two or fewer goals. Overall, the Nailers are 12-6-5-0 in one-goal games, and 5-4-0-0 in two-goal games this season. They are led by forward Cam Brown who has accounted for 16 goals and a team-leading 21 assists through 53 games this season. He is followed by forward Yushiroh Hirano (13g, 21a), and Alec Butcher (14g, 17a) who round out the top three. In goal, Emil Larmi leads the way with a record of 4-3-0-0, along with a 2.36 goals-against average along with a .941 save percentage. 

Inside the Series: Saturday is the ninth of 10 games between the Cyclones and Nailers this season. The Cyclones are 4-3-1-0 against Wheeling this season, following a 3-0 shutout over Wheeling last Friday night at home.  

Next Game Preview: Cincinnati returns home on Wednesday night to take on the Kalamazoo Wings for the 11th of 14 meetings this season. Cincinnati is 8-0-2-0 against Kalamazoo this season, and have outscored the Wings, 43-24.

First Pair, First Star: Forward Cody Milan was named the First Star in Friday’s 4-1 win over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, following his first two-goal performance of the season. Milan is eighth on the team in scoring with eight goals an 18 assists for 26 points through 44 games played. 

Defensively Offensive:Cyclones defenseman Justin Baudry saw his point streak come to an end after six games following last Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the Toledo Walleye. He accounted for four goals and seven assists in that span, and has multi-point efforts in four of his last seven games overall. He is now fourth on the team in scoring with 35 points (11g, 24a). Additionally, defenseman Tobie Bisson has goals in two of his last three games and points in four of his last six games (2g, 2a), and defenseman Matt Spencer scored his first goal of the season in Friday’s 4-1 win over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. He has added 14 assists for 15 total points. 

Spencer Reassigned: The Rochester Americans, American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Cyclones have reassigned Cyclones defenseman Matt Spencer. Spencer has skated in 32 games for the ‘Clones this season, accounting for 14 assists in that time. Acquired in a November trade between the Americans and Syracuse Crunch, Spencer appeared in three games with the Orlando Solar Bears before the trade. He skated in 47 games between the Crunch and Orlando in 2018-19, accounting for a pair of goals and 14 assists in that time. 

When it Rains, it Pours: After being held to three or fewer goals in nine of their last 11 games, the Cyclones have scored 25 goals over their last seven games, leading them to five wins in that span.

Strong D: Cincinnati is fifth in the ECHL with 2.62 goals allowed per game, and pace the League with 25.71 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 26 of their last 30 games. The Cyclones have allowed three or fewer goals in 34 of their last 43 games, and have given up more than three on just 12 occasions all season. They are 31-6-5-1 this season when allowing three or fewer goals.  

Holding the Lead: Cincinnati has an 22-3-2-1 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 21-0-2-0. 

 

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 websitewww.cycloneshockey.com!