ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati Vs. Kalamazoo

December 21, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


CINCINNATI CYCLONES (9-9-0-3)

vs.

KALAMAZOO WINGS (16-8-0-2)

DATE: Wednesday, December 21, 2011

TIME: 7:30pm ET

SITE: U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH

RADIO: None

WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)

NHL AFFILIATES

Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators

Kalamazoo Wings: Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils

NEXT HOME GAME

Thursday, December 22 - 7:30pm vs. Chicago Express

Thirsty Thursday - Fans 21+ can enjoy $1 PBR and Miller High Life!

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: As the Cyclones approach Christmas this weekend, four more crucial North Division points are on the line beginning tonight as they welcome the Kalamazoo Wings to U.S. Bank Arena for the second time in as many weeks. Kalamazoo picked up back-to-back victories over the Cyclones and now lead their 14-game season series 4-1, holding a 13-point edge over Cincinnati. However, historically, the Cyclones have had Kalamazoo's number in Downtown Cincinnati, posting an 11-5-1 mark since 2006.

TONIGHT'S PROMOTION: Wet Wednesday - Fans 21+ can enjoy $1 PBR and Miller High Life!

SCOUTING THE WINGS: Kalamazoo remains atop to the North Division standings after a nearly perfect week. The Wings have won six out of their last ten games, including a pair of victories against the Cyclones last week. Their 97 goals-scored this season ranks second-most out of all 20 ECHL clubs coming into the night and average 3.7 goals-per game. A great deal of success can be attributed to their power play, which has converted on a league-best 24.4 percent of their chances. With Brandon Svendsen and Dean Strong still in the American Hockey League, Trent Daavettila remains the top scorer for Nick Bootland's club, posting 24 points and an ECHL second-best 21 assists. Riley Gill has been in net for all five meetings with Cincinnati this season, going 4-1-0 with a 3.01 goals-against average. Overall, Gill has earned an 11-6-0-2 record with a 3.12 GAA.

About Saturday Night vs Chicago: Goaltender Brian Foster only needed to turn aside 17 shots as he led the Cyclones to a 3-0 shutout of the Express in front of 4,571 at U.S. Bank Arena. It was Foster's third-career professional blanking and first of the 2011-12 season. Garrett Wilson, Chris Cahill, and David Leaderer all scored for Cincinnati.

Season's Greetings: Cincinnati has posted a 4-2-0 record so far this month and are attempting to seal their fourth winning December in the past six seasons. They need just two wins in their final four 2011 games to accomplish that feat.

Still Unfriendly Hosts: With a win on Saturday against Chicago, the Cyclones improved to 7-1-0-2 at U.S. Bank Arena this season. They have allowed an ECHL-low 68 goals per game at home while outshooting their foes by an average of 32-26 per game.

Kill Shots: The Cyclones' PK unit has been especially impressive at home this season, contributing to its strong record at 100 Broadway. Through 10 home tilts, Cincy has extinguished 82.9% of its penalties at U.S. Bank Arena, which ranks seventh-best in the ECHL.

Auby being Auby: Cincinnati's team Captain Mathieu Aubin is on pace for a career-month offensively. He has registered points in seven of his last eight games (including a pair of multi-point contests) and is on track for the second-best month, points-wise, that he has ever had as a pro. He leads the Cyclones with 18 points, 9 of them coming in December.

SEASON SERIES (14 Meetings - 9 Remaining)

Oct. 15 Cincinnati 1 at Kalamazoo 3 Final

Oct. 29 Cincinnati 5 at Kalamazoo 6 Final

Nov. 23 Kalamazoo 2 at Cincinnati 5 Final

Dec. 13 Kalamazoo 4 at Cincinnati 2 Final

Dec. 16 Cincinnati 3 at Kalamazoo 7 Final

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 10:30 am EST

Mar. 25 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 4:00 pm EDT

Check out the Cincinnati Cyclones Statistics



ECHL Stories from December 21, 2011


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