CYCLONES GAME PREVIEW

Cincinnati Cyclones (1-0-0-0)
vs.
Kalamazoo Wings (2-1-1-0)

Click here for tonight's game note packet

DATE: Saturday, October 25, 2014
TIME: 7:30 ET
SITE: U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
BROADCAST: CyclonesHockey.com, ECHL.TV

NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Kalamazoo Wings: Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets

NEXT HOME GAME (After Tonight)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 - 7:30pm vs. INDY
KIDS EAT FREE NIGHT

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: After more than four months of waiting, hockey is finally back in Downtown Cincinnati tonight as the Cyclones open their 2014-15 home slate here at U.S. Bank Arena against the Kalamazoo Wings. The Clones will unveil their 2014 Eastern Conference Championship banner and hope to follow with another inspired effort. A year ago, Cincinnati earned a 5-4-2-1 record against their Mitten State rivals.

SCOUTING THE WINGS: Nick Bootland’s club has been busy to start the season, amassing a 2-1-1-0 record in their first four games. Vancouver Canucks draft pick Ludwig Blomstrand has come out of the gate with the offensive touch, notching five points in four tilts for the Wings. Long time defenseman Sam Ftorek is back as well for his 17th year as a pro. Last season he was able to collect two goals and 10 assists against the ‘Clones. Between the pipes, veteran netminder Joel Martin looks for another solid year after a 19-9-5 record for the Wings in 2013-14. Thus far, he’s 1-1-1-0 with a 3.90 goals-against average.

LAST TIME OUT: A strong performance from goaltender Rob Madore and a three-point night from Joe Basaraba helped lead the Cyclones past the Toledo Walleye by a 4-1 final score in front of a capacity crowd of 8,000 at Huntington Center last Saturday night.

The Re-“Turn” of Froese: Earlier this week, Cyclones forward Byron Froese was returned to the club by the San Antonio Rampage. The 23-year-old earned a spot in the AHL after a solid training camp and skated in three games for the Rampage to start the year. Last season, Froese posted 21 points in 25 regular season games and a team-leading 26 points in 23 Kelly Cup Playoff games.

“Pacman” Levels Up: After skating in just one game for the Cyclones, forward David Pacan has earned his first AHL call-up of the season. On October 21, the Norfolk Admirals summoned him to the Triple-A level. Pacan had skated with the Admirals, led by former Cyclones Head Coach Jarrod Skalde, during their training camp.

SEASON SERIES AT A GLANCE (9 GAMES - 5 HOME, 4 AWAY):
Oct 25 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:30pm EDT
Nov 22 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:30pm EST
Dec 6 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:30pm EST
Dec 31 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 7:00pm EST
Jan 2 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 7:30pm EST
Jan 10 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 7:30pm EST
Jan 16 Cincinnati at Kalamazoo 7:30pm EST
Jan 24 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:30pm EST
Feb 4 Kalamazoo at Cincinnati 7:30pm EST