CINCINNATI CYCLONES (10-9-5-2) vs. WHEELING NAILERS (14-10-0-0)

DATE: Friday, December 17, 2010
TIME: 7:30p.m.
SITE: U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
RADIO: MAX-FM (99.5 FM)
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (American One)

NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Wheeling Nailers: Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens

NEXT HOME GAME
Saturday, December 18 – vs. Wheeling, 7:30pm
Teddy Bear Toss Night – 2011 Cyclones Calendar Night - $1 Donatos Pizza

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP:  Tonight at U.S. Bank Arena, first place in the North Division is on the line as the Wheeling Nailers return to Cincinnati for the opener of a two game weekend series.  The teams have split a pair of meetings this season, with the road team claiming victory each time.

TONIGHT'S PROMOTION: Cyclones Kelly Cup Champions Flag Night: The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive a limited edition Cyclones Kelly Cup Champions Flag.

SCOUTING THE NAILERS:  With Wheeling’s win over Kalamazoo on Wednesday night teamed with Cincinnati’s shootout loss to Reading, the Nailers have taken sole possession of first place in the North Division.  Wheeling is currently riding a five-game winning streak and has claimed victory in seven of their last ten.  Rookies Ben Street and Nick Petersen are the Nailers’ top two scorers; Street’s 22 points (8 goals, 14 assists) and Petersen’s 19 points (8 goals, 11 assists) have them ranked 2nd and 3rd respectively in rookie scoring.  Wheeling goalie Patrick Killeen, meanwhile, leads the ECHL with 11 wins.

STRONG AGAINST THE NAILERS: Over the last five seasons, Cincinnati has posted a 33-22-0-1 record against the Nailers.  Last season, the ‘Clones took four of six meetings from the Nailers at U.S. Bank Arena (4-1-1).

SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST: The ‘Clones have been a very strong third period team this season, outscoring their opponents 26-24 in the final frame.  What is more impressive, though, is that they hold a 7-0-3 record when leading going into the 3rd.

DIVISIONAL SUCCESS: Cincinnati has found success against their division foes through the first third of the season.  So far, they are 6-4-2-1 against teams from the “North.”

SEASON SERIES (11 Meetings - 9 Remaining)
Oct. 30 Wheeling 7 at Cincinnati 3 Final
Nov. 6 Cincinnati 2 at Wheeling 0 Final
Dec. 17 Wheeling at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EST
Dec. 18 Wheeling at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EST
Dec. 26 Cincinnati at Wheeling 5:05 pm EST
Jan. 14 Wheeling at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EST
Jan. 15 Cincinnati at Wheeling 7:35 pm EST
Jan. 18 Wheeling at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EST
Feb. 4 Wheeling at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EST
Feb. 5 Cincinnati at Wheeling 8:05 pm EST
Mar. 4 Cincinnati at Wheeling 7:35 pm EST