Click here for tonight's game note packet

DATE: Friday, March 16, 2012
TIME: 7:35pm ET
SITE: Arena at Gwinnett Center - Gwinnett, GA
RADIO: Cyclones Radio Network (1050-AM)
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)

NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Gwinnett Gladiators: Buffalo Sabres, Phoenix Coyotes

NEXT HOME GAME
Wednesday, March 21 - 7:30pm vs. Chicago Express
Wet Wednesday / Pucks N Pinot / Singles Night - Fans 21+ can enjoy $1 PBR and Miller High Life / Pre-game wine tasting / Singles Mixer

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: After losing the first three games of this southern swing, the Cyclones look to get back on the winning track tonight as they tussle with the Gwinnett Gladiators for the final time this season. The Glads have taken three out of the four meetings with the Clones in 2011-12, including a 3-1 decision on Wednesday, giving them a 6-4 edge in the all-time series.

SCOUTING THE GLADIATORS: Gwinnett is currently the hottest team ECHL hockey, riding a seven-game winning streak with eight wins out of their last eleven. On home ice, the Glads have been nearly automatic this season - posting an Eastern Conference best 25-6-0-3 record. When they get an early lead, they’re even more deadly at Gwinnett Center; they are a perfect 11-0-0 at home when leading after 20 minutes. Although they don’t have a single player on the ECHL’s Top 20 scoring list, they still sport some dangerous offensive weaponry. Nikita Kashirsky paces the Glads in points (44), while Pat Galivan, Bryan Brutlag, and Tyler Murovich have all posted more than 40 tallies in 2011-12. Netminder Ryan Zapolski, who has earned two shutouts against Cincinnati this year, is the reigning ECHL goalie of the week and sports an 8-2-0-1 mark in 2011-12 with a minuscule 1.98 goals-against average. Former Cyclone Marc Cheverie, who earned the win on Wednesday, is also among the Gladiators backstop tandem; in 17 ECHL appearances this season, the former Denver University standout has amassed a 6-3-6-2 record and a 2.86 goals-against average.

About Wednesday Night in Gwinnett: Andy Brandt scored twice, including a late empty-netter, to help lift the Gladiators over the Cyclones by a 3-1 final score in front of 2,874 at Gwinnett Center. Jonathan Hazen potted the lone goal for Cincinnati.

Eastern Conference Playoff Race: The top eight teams at season’s end earn a Kelly Cup Playoff bid.

TEAM -- RECORD -- POINTS
1. Gwinnett* -- 37-17-7-4 -- 85
2. Elmira* -- 38-21-2-2 -- 80
3. Kalamazoo* -- 33-23-2-5 -- 73
4. Greenville -- 38-21-2-3 -- 81
5. Wheeling -- 35-22-3-3 -- 76
6. South Carolina -- 34-24-4-2 -- 74
7. Florida -- 33-24-2-5 -- 71
8. CYCLONES -- 29-24-2-7 -- 67
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9. Chicago -- 28-24-6-4 -- 66
10. Reading -- 29-27-3-4 -- 65
11. Toledo -- 27-30-2-4 -- 61
12. Trenton -- 19-36-3-5 -- 46

Just Killin’ It: Cincinnati’s penalty kill unit continues to be among the league’s elite. They have successfully extinguished 31 of their last 34 power plays against. Overall, the Clones rank fourth among all 20 ECHL teams with an 84.6% efficiency rate (211-for-250). Against Gwinnett this season, Cincy has extinguished all 13 of the Gladiators power plays.

Starting Strong: As good as Cincinnati has been late in games, they are also among the ECHL’s top first-period teams on offense. Their 67 opening frame goals ranks fourth most in the league. Only Colorado, Florida, and Kalamazoo have earned more.

SEASON SERIES (5 Meetings - 1 Remaining)
Feb. 20 Gwinnett 2 at Cincinnati 3 Final
Feb. 22 Gwinnett 2 at Cincinnati 0 Final
Mar. 10 Cincinnati 0 at Gwinnett 2 Final
Mar. 14 Cincinnati 1 at Gwinnett 3 Final
Mar. 16 Cincinnati at Gwinnett 7:35pm EDT