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DATE: Friday, January 18, 2013
TIME: 7:05pm ET
SITE: Sovereign Center - Reading, PA
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)
RADIO: FM 100 The FAN (100.3 FM)

NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Reading Royals: Washington Capitals

NEXT HOME GAME
Friday, January 25 vs. Evansville IceMen - 7:30pm
PRESIDENT OBAMA BOBBLEHEAD NIGHT

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: Tonight it will be a battle of two of the best in the Eastern Conference as the North Division leading Cincinnati Cyclones visit the Atlantic Division leading Reading Royals. The Royals have won the only match-up so far in the season series, a 4-2 decision at U.S. Bank Arena, back on November 16. The Cyclones, though, still own a commanding 31-17-5-4 all-time record against Reading dating back to 2006.

SCOUTING THE ROYALS: Larry Courville’s club has been, by far, the strongest team in the Eastern Conference this season having won more than 71 percent of their games. Although they’ve gone on two different 8+ game winning streaks in 2012-13, the Royals have dropped three straight contests - two of which in the extra session. Yannick Tifu paces the team on offense and ranks sixth in the ECHL overall with 38 points (13 goals, 15 assists) in 39 games played. Former Cyclone Joel Champagne has also found great success this year, posting 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists) in 36 contests. With Philipp Grubauer on recall in Hershey, Drew MacIntyre, Brandon Anderson, and Sergey Kostenko will all be seeing increased action between the pipes. MacIntyre has a 2-1-0 record with a 1.76 goals-against average while Anderson has gone 4-3-0 with a 3.57 GAA. Kostenko, meanwhile, has appeared in four games for the Royals, posting a 1-0-1-1 mark and a 4.30 GAA.

Record Setter for Foster: Cincinnati goalie Brian Foster appeared in his 70th game in a Cyclones jersey on Sunday night, tying Lance Leslie for the club’s all-time games played lead. Upon his next game, he will become the all-time leader. Although it’s not a club record, Foster has the fifth-most games played of any goalie to wear a “Cyclones” uniform - dating back to 1990.

Cyclones Century Club: Tonight, Cyclones assistant captain Dan Eves is going to play in his 100th game for the Cyclones. Since being acquired from South Carolina, Eves has amassed 78 points in the 99 games and has registered points in 9 of his last 15 games. Mike Pelech is just two games away from 100, posting 91 tallies (24 goals, 67 assists) in a Cincinnati jersey. Pelech currently tops the Cyclones scoring list with 8 goals and 23 assists, although he’s currently on loan to the Worcester Sharks.

The New All-Star: With Josh Shalla currently the AHL with Milwaukee, Cyclones defenseman Taylor Ellington has been chosen to replace him at the ECHL All-Star Classic next week. This season with Cincinnati, Ellington has four points in eight games. Collectively, he has posted 20 points (4 goals, 16 assists) between his time in Cincy and Florida - and ranks fourth among all active ECHL rear guards.

SEASON SERIES (3 TOTAL, 2 REMAINING)
Nov. 16 Reading 4 at Cincinnati 2 Final
Jan. 18 Cincinnati at Reading 7:05pm EST
Mar. 16 Cincinnati at Reading 7:05pm EDT