CINCINNATI CYCLONES (11-12-5-2) vs. TOLEDO WALLEYE (11-14-2-1)

DATE: Saturday, January 1, 2011
TIME: 7:00pm
SITE: Huntington Center - Toledo, OH
RADIO: None
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (American One)

NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Toledo Walleye: Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks

NEXT HOME GAME
Wednesday, January 12 vs. Kalamazoo - 7:30pm.
Wet Wednesday: $1 PBR and Miller High Life

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP:  Tonight the Cyclones and Walleye resume their fifteen-game season series as a new calendar year begins.  Over the last four seasons, Cincinnati has had great success kicking off the month of January -
going 3-1 in year-opening games.  They have outscored their opponents 15-5.

SCOUTING THE WALLEYE: After enjoying a brief third-place tie in the North Division with Kalamazoo, Toledo has slipped back into fourth place as the 2010 portion of the schedule concluded.  One night after shutting out the Cyclones, goaltender Thomas McCollum allowed four goals on 11 shots before getting pulled in a 7-4 loss to Kalamazoo.  Andy Bombach, Evan Rankin, and Zach Torquato are all tied for the team lead in points (23).  Bombach’s point totals are good for fifth on the ECHL rookie-scoring leaderboard.

A SOPHOMORE SURGE: Cyclones second-year defenseman Kevin Roeder has already surpassed his rookie scoring totals just 29 games into the year.  In 2009-10, the Glenview, Illinois native collected five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in 30 games.  This year, he has posted 2 goals and 4 assists.  Additionally, he has earned his first career multi-point game and first shorthanded goal this season.

THREE MORE 'CLONES REACH "THE SHOW": Former Cyclones goaltender Mark Dekanich became the fourth Cincinnati player in franchise history to make his NHL debut.  On December 18, Dekanich stopped 22 of 25 shots for Nashville in a 6-1 loss to Los Angeles.  Nearly two weeks later, another former Cincinnati netminder made his debut; on Thursday night, Cedrick Desjardins earned a 4-1 victory for Tampa Bay - turning aside 27 shots to pick up a “W” and second star honors.  And finally, Chris Mueller signed an NHL contract with the Nashville Predators and was called up to the club on December 28.  He made his NHL debut that night against Dallas.

CRUISING WITH CHRISTIAAN: Cyclones rookie Christiaan Minella has become a force for Cincinnati of late.  The former Notre Dame Fighting Irish player has registered points in four of his last seven games - including back-to-back multi point games a couple of weeks ago.  He is one of three Cyclones rookies to have a multi-point game (Sam D’Agostino and Chris Clackson are the others).

SEASON SERIES (15 Meetings - 8 Remaining)
Oct. 29 Cincinnati 2 at Toledo 3 Final
Nov. 10 Toledo 1 at Cincinnati 2 Final OT
Nov. 12 Cincinnati 2 at Toledo 0 Final
Nov. 14 Cincinnati 2 at Toledo 1 Final
Dec.  5 Cincinnati 3 at Toledo 2 Final
Dec. 10 Toledo 5 at Cincinnati 2 Final
Dec. 28 Toledo 2 at Cincinnati 0 Final
Jan.  1 Cincinnati at Toledo 7:00 pm EST
Jan. 23 Cincinnati at Toledo 4:00 pm EST
Feb. 16 Toledo at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EST
Feb. 18 Toledo at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EST
Mar.  5 Toledo at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EST
Mar. 25 Toledo at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EDT
Mar. 26 Toledo at Cincinnati 7:30 pm EDT
Mar. 27 Cincinnati at Toledo 4:00 pm EDT