ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati at Kalamazoo

Published on October 15, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


CINCINNATI CYCLONES (0-0-0-0)

vs.

KALAMAZOO WINGS (0-0-0-0)

DATE: Saturday, October 15, 2011

TIME: 7:30pm

SITE: Wings Stadium - Kalamazoo, MI

RADIO: Cyclones Radio Network (1050-AM)

WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)

ATTENTION MEDIA MEMBERS: You can access game notes, logos, headshots, audio highlights, video clips, and more in our Interactive Press Room. The password for the Press Room is (case sensitive) cyclones2011.

NHL AFFILIATES

Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators

Kalamazoo Wings: Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils

NEXT HOME GAME

Saturday, November 5 - 7:30pm vs. Chicago Express

OPENING NIGHT

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: The 2011-12 campaign will begin in the same fashion in which the 2010-11 regular season ended - with a battle against the Kalamazoo Wings. K-Zoo was one of Cincinnati's biggest nemeses last season, claiming wins in 9 of the 15 meetings. However, over the last five seasons, the Cyclones have the better overall record - collecting a 16-10-2-2 record. This weekend will mark the first of 14 regular season meetings between the two division rivals.

SCOUTING THE WINGS: Nick Bootland's club begins the 2011-12 season as the reigning Eastern Conference Champions, falling to the Alaska Aces in the Kelly Cup Finals. The Wings roster is filled with familiar names from a year ago - as 10 players are returning from the 2010-11 team. In fact, three of Kalamazoo's top-four point-getters are back again for another campaign - Patrick Asselin, Trent Daavettila, and Kory Karlander. And although former Wing (and Cyclone) goaltender Ryan Nie has moved on, they still rely on Riley Gill's services in net, along with newcomer Maxime Clermont. Gill finished last season with a 13-7-0 record and a 2.82 goals-against average. Clermont, meanwhile, is entering his first season of pro hockey after playing the last four years in the QMJHL. In 2010-11, he posted four shutouts en route to a 2.55 GAA and a 28-10-5 record with the Gatineau Olympiques. He is a 2010 sixth-round pick of the New Jersey Devils.

October Travels: Similar to last season, the Cyclones begin the regular season by playing several games away from U.S. Bank Arena. Including tonight, Cincinnati will play its first five games on the road before opening its home slate on November 5 against their new rival - the Chicago Express. Tonight will mark the fifth straight year that the Cyclones have started the season away from Downtown Cincinnati.

More NHL Experience Behind the Bench: Head Coach Jarrod Skalde has added even more top-level experience to his coaching staff this year - bringing in 16-year NHL veteran Andrew Cassels as the Cyclones Assistant Coach. Cassels, a 42-year-old was the 17th overall selection in the 1987 NHL draft went onto skate in more than 1000 NHL games over his decade-and-a-half career. During that span, he collectively posted 732 points (204 goals, 528 assists) and 410 penalty minutes as a member of the Montreal Canadiens, Hartford Whalers, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Washington Capitals. In seven of his 16 seasons at hockey's highest level, Cassels led his team in assists.

The Returners: The Clones will have eight players returning from last year's squad. Forwards Mathieu Aubin, Dan Eves, Mike Liambas, and Matt Pierce will join defenseman Adam Comrie, Brian O'Hanley and Garrett Suter as the returning players to the 2011-12 club. Goaltending wise, Chet Pickard will also be back for his second season with Cincinnati.

Ohio Pride: The Cyclones will have the services of a few local products. Both Matt McIlvane and Chris Reed played their college hockey at The Ohio State University, while forward Justin Vaive was a four-year letterwinner at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

SEASON SERIES (14 Meetings)

Oct. 15 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 7:30 pm EDT

Oct. 29 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 7:30 pm EDT

Nov. 23 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST

Dec. 13 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST

Dec. 16 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 7:30 pm EST

Dec. 21 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST

Dec. 27 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST

Jan. 13 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST

Jan. 27 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 7:30 pm EST

Feb. 14 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 7:00 pm EST

Feb. 17 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST

Feb. 25 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST

Mar. 7 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 7:00 pm EST

Mar. 25 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 4:00 pm EDT

Check out the Cincinnati Cyclones Statistics

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