Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati at Toledo
vs.
TOLEDO WALLEYE (17-12-0-1)
Click here for tonight's game note packet
DATE: Friday, December 28, 2012
TIME: 7:05pm ET
SITE: Huntington Center - Toledo, OH
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)
NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Toledo Walleye: Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks
NEXT HOME GAME
Saturday, January 5 vs. Fort Wayne Komets - 7:30pm
THROWBACK NIGHT / TEDDY BEAR TOSS
TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: Tonight the Cyclones will play their first of four straight road games as they visit the Toledo Walleye for the final time in the calendar year. While Toledo has earned the victory in three of the four meetings this year, the all-time series has been extremely close. Since 2006, the Cyclones hold a 27-28-2-1 record against the Walleye/Storm. It will be the second to last time the teams meet at Huntington Center this season.
SCOUTING THE WALLEYE: Nick Vitucci’s club has won four of its last six games and sits just one point back of the Cyclones in the North Division standings (although they have two additional games played). Forward Andrej Nestrasil, who was reassigned to the Walleye today, has notched a point in eight straight games and has earned 24 points (7 goals, 17 assists) in 27 games. Willie Coetzee has also been a major offensive contributor for Toledo, collecting 29 points (14 goals, 15 assists) in 29 games. Those two players have combined for seven points against the Cyclones this season. Terry Broadhurst has also found success against Cincinnati; he has earned two goals and three assists in the four match-ups thus far. Between the pipes, Jordan Pearce and Kent Simpson have split time. Pearce, who has won his only meeting with the Cyclones, is 8-4-0 with a 2.53 goals-against average. Simpson is 7-7-0-1 with a 2.85 GAA. Versus Cincinnati, he is 2-1 with a 2.99 GAA.
Wonderful Willie: Second-year forward Garrett Wilson has been on fire of late. He has registered points in eight of his last 10 games and ranks third on the team in overall scoring. Cincinnati is 9-4 this season when he gets his name on the scoresheet.
A Step Above: Cyclones rookie John McFarland has been one of the league’s best players of late. He has earned goals in three of his last 4 games and has posted at least a point in all but four of his contests since getting assigned from San Antonio. McFarland has amassed four multi-point efforts.
SEASON SERIES (8 TOTAL, 4 REMAINING)
Oct. 19 Cincinnati 2 at Toledo 3 Final OT
Nov. 21 Toledo 4 at Cincinnati 2 Final
Nov. 23 Cincinnati 4 at Toledo 2 Final
Dec. 1 Cincinnati 3 at Toledo 4 Final
Dec. 28 Cincinnati at Toledo 7:05 pm EST
Jan. 31 Toledo at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST
Feb. 24 Cincinnati at Toledo 5:05 pm EST
Mar. 8 Toledo at Cincinnati 7:35 pm EST