ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Cyclones 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs Weekly

Published on April 18, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


The Cincinnati Cyclones earned a pair of 3-2 victories over the Ft. Wayne Komets in Games 1 and 2 of their best-of-seven Western Conference Quarterfinal series. The Cyclones return home for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Friday, along with Game 5 on Saturday if necessary.

First Round Schedule- Cincinnati Leads, 2-0:

Game 1- Friday, April 15..................Cincinnati at Fort Wayne, W, 3-2

Game 2- Saturday, April 16.............Cincinnati at Fort Wayne, W, 3-2

Game 3- Wednesday, April 20.........Fort Wayne at Cincinnati, 7:35pm ET

Game 4- Friday, April 22..................Fort Wayne at Cincinnati, 7:35pm ET

Game 5- Saturday, April 23.............Fort Wayne at Cincinnati, 7:35pm ET *

Game 6- Monday, April 25..............Cincinnati at Fort Wayne, 7:30pm ET *

Game 7- Wednesday, April 27........Cincinnati at Fort Wayne, 7:30pm ET *

*Game to be played if necessary

Cyclones News and Notes

Well, Aren't You Special:

The Cyclones' special teams played a crucial role in both of Cincinnati's wins over the weekend, registering a pair of shorthanded goals and a power play tally. Friday's game featured a power play marker from forward Jack Downing and a shorthanded tally from forward Tommy Mele, while Saturday's game saw a shorthanded goal from forward Andrew Yogan. Cincinnati's penalty kill ranks third amongst playoff teams with a 90.9% success rate (10/11), while the power play has converted on one of its nine chances (11.1%).

Hello Old Friends:

It was a successful weekend for forward Tommy Mele against his former team, as he recorded a pair of goals in Friday's 3-2 win. He now has 10 goals and six assists in 63 career postseason appearances. Mele started his pro hockey career with the Komets back in the 2011 playoffs when they were members of the Central Hockey League (CHL), recording seven goals and 11 assists in 54 total games played over two seasons.

Late Game Heroics: Christiaan Minella

lit the lamp with 32.2 seconds left in regulation to send Cincinnati to a 3-2, Game 2 victory over the Ft. Wayne Komets, marking his second-career postseason game-winning goal. Minella is coming off a career-high 14-goal regular season, and he also tied his career high in points with 22.

Single Game Playoff Tickets On Sale:

The Cincinnati Cyclones have announced that single game tickets for the first round of the 2016 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs are now on sale. The Cyclones will be hosting Game 3 and Game 4 of the first round, as well as Game 5 if necessary. Game 3 is scheduled for Wednesday, April 20, while Game 4 and Game 5 will be played on Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23, respectively. All games will start at 7:35pm ET at U.S. Bank Arena. The team has also announced a pair of promotions for the first round of the playoffs, including $1 beers for Games 3 and 5, and $1 John Morrell hot dogs for Game 4. Cyclones playoff tickets start at $16.00 for rows two and higher, and $29.50 for all first row seats.

Season Series Recap:

Overall: The 2015-16 regular season series between the Cyclones and Komets was about as close as it could have been, as both teams won five games of the 10-game series. The Cyclones had the advantage in the first five games of the season, posting a 3-1-1-0 record while outscoring Ft. Wayne, 16-10. The Komets managed to even up the series in the second half of the season, posting wins in three of the final five meetings, and holding a 23-17 edge in goals scored.

In Cincinnati: Seven of the 10 meetings, including four of the final five, took place at U.S. Bank Arena with Cincinnati coming away with victories in three of those contests (3-3-1-0). The Komets held a slight offensive advantage over the Cyclones, outscoring Cincinnati 27-22.

In Ft. Wayne: Even though there were only three games played in Ft. Wayne this season, the Cyclones had a decided advantage over the Komets. Cincinnati picked up wins in two of the three contests while outscoring Ft. Wayne, 11-6, including a combined 10-2 in the first two meetings back on October 31 and November 26.

Playoff History

This is the eighth time Cincinnati has made the postseason since returning to the ECHL prior to the 2006-2007 season, and the second time the Cyclones and Komets will meet in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. The two sides clashed in the 2014 Eastern Conference Semifinals, with Cincinnati taking the best-of-seven series, 4 games to 2. The Cyclones went on to lose in the Kelly Cup Finals to the Alaska Aces that season, 4 games to 2. Cincinnati won the Kelly Cup in 2008 and again in 2010.

The 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs are upon us! YOUR Cyclones are on the march towards another Kelly Cup Championship, and want you along for the ride! Be sure to get your single game tickets, or check out one of our 2016 Kelly Cup Playoff Ticket Packages, available NOW! Call 513.421.PUCK to reserve your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), Instagram, and our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!

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