CYCLONES GAME PREVIEW

Cincinnati Cyclones (8-8-0-4)
vs.
Gwinnett Gladiators (7-11-1-0)

Click here for tonight's game note packet

DATE: Saturday, December 13, 2014
TIME: 7:05pm ET
SITE: The Arena at Gwinnett Center - Duluth, GA
BROADCAST: Cyclones Radio Network, ECHL.TV

NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Gwinnett Gladiators: Arizona Coyotes

NEXT HOME GAME
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17 - 7:30pm vs. GREENVILLE
$1 BEERS / SANTACON

Tonight's Matchup: For the one and only time this season, the Cyclones will square off against the Gwinnett Gladiators to close out this three-game southern road trip. The Clones took the only 2013-14 match-up with their Georgia foes and now own a 7-6-0 all-time record since becoming ECHL rivals.

Scouting the Gladiators: Andy Brandt’s club wrapped up a four-game road trip on Wednesday night and hopes to claw its way out of the basement of the East Division standings - they currently sit nine points back of sixth place Reading and South Carolina. Former Cyclone Casey Pierro-Zabotel leads the Gladiators with 17 points (8g, 9a) in as-many games while Gary Nunn is close on his heels with 15 tallies (2g, 13a) in 19 contests. Mark Guggenberger has been the main net minder for Gwinnett this season, amassing a 5-7-1 record this season with a goals-against average of 2.87. Fellow net minder Mike Lee was reassigned from Portland on a rehab assignment today and has yet to play in a game this season. 

Last Time Out: A late goal from Michael St. Croix broke a 2-2 deadlock and gave the Road Warriors a 3-2 win over the Cyclones in front of 2,892 at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Thursday night. Josh Shalla and Geoff Irwin both netted goals for the Cyclones in a losing effort.

Early Goals Get the Win: Through 20 games, the Cyclones have enjoyed the best results when scoring early into the game. They are 5-1-0 when notching the game’s first goal and are 3-0 when leading after 20 minutes of play.

Middle Period Muster: The second period has continued to be Cincinnati’s strongest this season. They have outscored opponents by a 28-12 margin in the frame, the second-largest positive differential of any ECHL team. In fact only four other teams have more lamplighters in the period that the Cyclones.

Season Series at a Glance (1 game - 0 home, 1 away):
Dec 13 Cincinnati at Gwinnett 7:05pm EST