McKay, Bison Blank Cyclones
Published on January 10, 2026 under ECHL (ECHL)
Bloomington Bison News Release
Bloomington, Ill. - Dryden McKay recorded a 34-save shutout and Lou-Felix Denis scored two powerplay goals in a 5-0 Bloomington Bison win over the Cincinnati Cyclones at Grossinger Motors Arena on Saturday evening.
Intense physical play started nearly from the opening puck drop and the Bison were awarded an early powerplay chance just over two minutes in. Numerous chances were generated but the Cyclones killed off the penalty. Bloomington hemmed Cincinnati in its own zone and after a Cincinnati rush broke up the lopsided play, Jesper Solomon-Frisell scored a breakaway goal to give Bloomington a 1-0 lead exactly 10 minutes in from Mikhail Abramov and Nikita Sedov. McKay had a strong first frame and stopped all 13 shots he faced, including one-on-one chances and lateral blocks. Bloomington took a penalty of its own and completed the kill before Brenden Datema drew a double-minor penalty and sent the Bison to back-to-back powerplays. Denis netted his first powerplay goal after driving toward the net from the slot and faking out the goaltender with three minutes remaining. Riku Ishida earned his first point back since returning from injury, and Datema picked up the other assist. Denis scored again with 25 seconds left in the frame on a one-timer from Shane Ott and Solomon-Frisell to give Bloomington a 3-0 lead heading into the second period.
McKay stayed strong to begin the middle stanza and turned away rebound tries as the Cyclones tried to create offense. Following a post-save by McKay, chaos ensued and multiple fights broke out at 8:32 of the period. After, the game resumed four-on-four, and eventually resulted in a three-minute powerplay for the Bison. Ott dished a no-look, backhand pass to a streaking Sedov, who potted Bloomington's fourth goal of the night just over nine minutes in while four-on-four. Chongmin Lee earned the secondary assist. Parker Gavlas put the home squad up 5-0 with six minutes remaining in the period after the powerplay concluded, but before Cincinnati could exit the zone from Chris Ortiz. McKay concluded the frame making two highlight saves, including a full-extension splits stop with about a minute remaining.
Bloomington defended its lead, and McKay made 12 saves through the final period. The Bison killed off two more minors in the period and the netminder recorded the team's first shutout of the season.
The Bison will travel to Fort Wayne next weekend before returning on Bluey Night on Sunday, January 18. Bluey will be on the concourse for meet and greets with fans, kids receive a free meal coupon and fans can skate with Bison players after the game!
Single-game tickets are available for ALL Bloomington Bison home games starting as low as $20! Visit ticketmaster.com or call 309-965-HERD to purchase tickets today.
ECHL Stories from January 10, 2026
- Tahoe Battles Their Way to a 6-2 Victory to Conclude Military Weekend - Tahoe Knight Monsters
- Idaho's Offense Erupts In 7-4 Win Over Greensboro - Idaho Steelheads
- Mavericks Defeat Tulsa, Extend Win Streak to Nine - Kansas City Mavericks
- Bennett's Two Goals, Murphy's 44 Saves Combine for Third Straight Win - Rapid City Rush
- Indy Drops Second in Row Against Rapid City, Falls, 4-2, Saturday Night - Indy Fuel
- McKay, Bison Blank Cyclones - Bloomington Bison
- Preview: Royals vs. Mariners, January 11th - Game 34/72 - Reading Royals
- Perets Stops 30, Royals Shut out by Mariners, 2-0 - Reading Royals
- Stingrays Edge out Swamp Rabbits in Close Matchup - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Stingrays Win Fourth Straight with 2-1 Victory over Greenville - South Carolina Stingrays
- Walleye Drop Close 3-2 Contest at the Huntington Center to Fort Wayne - Toledo Walleye
- Ghost Pirates Ride to Fifth Straight Win, Edge Gladiators 3-2 - Savannah Ghost Pirates
- Americans Win 5-4 in a Shootout - Allen Americans
- Lions Fall to One of the ECHL's Top Teams - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Nailers Earn Fantastic Win in the 304 - Wheeling Nailers
- IceCats Complete Comeback with 3-2 Overtime Victory - Worcester Railers HC
- Komets Win at Toledo - Fort Wayne Komets
- Worcester Steals 3-2 Overtime Win from Florida - Florida Everblades
- Thunder Fall to Admirals 4-3 in OT - Adirondack Thunder
- Arvanitis Shuts Door on Royals in Reading - Maine Mariners
- Oilers Swept by Mavericks on Week - Tulsa Oilers
- K-Wings Honor Canucks, Down Heartlanders Saturday at Home - Kalamazoo Wings
- ECHL Transactions - January 10 - ECHL
- Stewart Scores for Iowa, But Young Guides Wings to 2-1 Win - Iowa Heartlanders
- Royals Sign Andrew Kurapov & Zach Bannister to SPC's - Reading Royals
- South Carolina Adds Forward Ryan Hunter - South Carolina Stingrays
- Mavericks Stack 8 Game Win Streak - Kansas City Mavericks
- Grizzlies Gameday: Utah at Tahoe - January 10, 2026 - Utah Grizzlies
- ECHL Announces Fine, Suspension - ECHL
- Icemen Acquire Forward David Jankowski from Norfolk - Jacksonville Icemen
- Rush Game Notes: January 10, 2026 vs. Indy Fuel - Rapid City Rush
- Blades Looking for Another Win in Worcester - Florida Everblades
- Game Day Preview: Series Shifts to Kansas - Allen Americans
- Burns' Big Night Leads Blades to 4-1 Win - Florida Everblades
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
