Cyclones Game Preview: Cincinnati vs. Greenville
vs.
GREENVILLE ROAD WARRIORS (11-7-0-0)
Click here for tonight's game note packet
DATE: Saturday, December 3, 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
Greenville Road Warriors: New York Rangers
NEXT HOME GAME
Saturday, December 10 - 7:30pm vs. Toledo Walleye
THROWBACK NIGHT: $8 TICKETS, $1 JOHN MORRELL HOT DOGS, DONATOS PIZZA, SODA, AND BEER / FIRST 10,000 FANS GET A CYCLONES WALL CLING!
TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: For the second straight game, the Cyclones battle the Greenville Road Warriors in hopes of keeping their home-point streak alive. Despite the 4-3 shootout loss on Tuesday, Cincinnati remains unbeaten in regulation at U.S. Bank Arena with a record of 4-0-0-2. Greenville, meanwhile, looks to stay above .500 on the road as they enter tonight with a 4-3 record away from the BI-LO Center
TONIGHT'S PROMOTION: Pucks and Pups / Weiner Dog Races - The first 2,000 fans will receive a Cyclones Dog Leash! Plus, $1 John Morrell Hot Dogs!
SCOUTING THE ROAD WARRIORS: Dean Stork’s club entered this week on a two-game losing skid but since Tuesday, Greenville has strung together three consecutive wins including a 4-2 triumph over the Toledo Walleye last night at the Huntington Center. Road Warriors forward Jeff Prough has posted points in three straight games, including a three-assist night against the Cyclones this past Tuesday. He currently ranks third in the ECHL overall with 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 18 games. Goaltender Nic Riopel continues to shine in net for Greenville, ranking in the ECHL’s top ten in most statistical categories; his 10 wins are second-most in the league, his 2.64 goals-against average is 10th-best, and his 278 saves are 8th most. The Road Warriors power play unit has been the deadliest in the ECHL all season long, converting on more than 27 percent on its chances (21-for-76).
About Tuesday Night vs. Greenville: Greenville forward Justin Bowers was the lone goal-scorer in the shootout as the Road Warriors escaped with a 4-3 victory over the Cyclones in front of 1,446 at U.S. Bank Arena. Daniel Koger increased his point-streak to three consecutive games in a losing effort.
Cincinnati Home Warriors: So far this season, the Clones have been very successful in Downtown Cincinnati. Coming into the week, the Cyclones are 4-0-0-2 at U.S. Bank Arena. They are the only team in the ECHL that has yet to lose a home game in regulation and have strung together the second longest active home winning streak in the league.
Goaltending Reinforcements: Earlier this week, the San Antonio Rampage sent second-year goalie Brian Foster to the Cyclones, who replaces Tyler Plante on the roster. Last season, Foster was an integral part of Cincinnati’s late-season playoff push, finishing 11-6-1 with a 2.30 goals-against average.
Koger’s Breakout Week: Rookie forward Daniel Koger has lit fire of late. He has posted points in three consecutive games, including a four-point performance last week against Kalamazoo. It was the first time this year that a Cyclone has eclipsed the four-point plateau. Only Cory Conacher has accomplished that feat under Head Coach Jarrod Skalde.
Luciani Leading the Pack: Coming into the night, rookie Anthony Luciani is pacing the Cyclones in scoring with 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists). He is one of just four Cyclones to have recorded a multi-goal game this season and finds himself tied for 8th on the ECHL’s rookie scoring list.
SEASON SERIES (5 Meetings - 4 Remaining)
Nov. 29 Greenville 4 at Cincinnati 3 Final SO
Dec. 3 Greenville at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST
Jan. 4 Greenville at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST
Feb. 28 Greenville at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST
Mar. 18 Cincinnati at Greenville 4:05 pm EDT