CINCINNATI CYCLONES (10-9-5-1) vs. READING ROYALS (15-8-0-0)

DATE: Wednesday, December 15, 2010
TIME: 7:30p.m.
SITE: U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
RADIO: None
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (American One)

NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Reading Royals: Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs

NEXT HOME GAME
Friday, December 17 – vs. Wheeling, 7:30pm
Cyclones Kelly Cup Champions Flag Night

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP:  Tonight the Cyclones will play the first of three games before they enjoy a week-long break from the ice - first up, the Reading Royals.  Reading picked up a pair of overtime wins against Cincinnati during Thanksgiving week.  After tonight, the ‘Clones will welcome in the Wheeling Nailers for a two-game weekend set beginning Friday night.

TONIGHT'S PROMOTION: Wet Wednesday - Fans can purchase $1 PBR and Miller High Life all night long.

SCOUTING THE ROYALS:  Reading comes in to U.S. Bank Arena for the first of two times this season ranked second in the Atlantic Division with a 15-8-0-0, just one point behind Elmira for the top spot.  The Royals have won 7 of their last 10 games, including a 5-0 shutout of the Jackals this past Sunday.  Matt Caruana ranks 5th in the ECHL with 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) while his goal totals rank him tied for 3rd in the league.  Ben Gordon leads the Royals against the Cyclones, notching two points in a pair of games in late November.

A FLASHBACK TO HISTORY: Tonight will be the first time the Reading Royals have played at U.S. Bank Arena since their historic loss to the Cyclones in Game 7 of the American Conference Finals on May 12, 2010.  Cincinnati shutout the Royals 1-0 that night to become the sixth team in pro-hockey history to rally back from a 3-0 playoff series deficit and advance.

THEY’RE BAAAACK: This week, the Cyclones welcomed back two big pieces to their offense when Matt Pierce and Ryan Del Monte were returned from a stay with the Rochester Americans.  Pierce registered six shots on goal in eight games with the Amerks, while Del Monte notched six points in 21 games - including a game-winning goal on November 6.  With Cincinnati, Pierce had tallied 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) in his first 15 games before the call-up.  Del Monte only dressed in the season-opening series against Elmira before heading to the “A.”

SEASON SERIES (4 Meetings - 2 Remaining)
Nov. 24 Cincinnati 3 at Reading 4 Final OT
Nov. 26 Cincinnati 3 at Reading 4 Final OT
Dec. 15 Reading at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EST
Mar. 2 Reading at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EST