CYCLONES GAME PREVIEW

Cincinnati Cyclones (10-10-0-4)
vs.
Indy Fuel (5-16-2-3)

Click here for tonight's game note packet

DATE: Friday, December 26, 2014
TIME: 7:35pm ET
SITE: Indiana Farmers Coliseum - Indianapolis, IN
BROADCAST: Cyclones Radio Network, ECHL.TV

NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Indy Fuel: Chicago Blackhawks

NEXT HOME GAME
MONDAY, DECEMBER 29 - 7:30pm vs. EVANSVILLE
KIDS EAT FREE NIGHT

Tonight's Matchup: After enjoying a five-day break to celebrate the holidays, the Cyclones are back to work tonight as they open a two-game weekend series against the Indy Fuel. The Clones have taken two of the first three meetings in this budding rivalry and look to climb up the ranks in the North Division standings as the calendar year comes to a close.

Scouting the Fuel: Scott Hillman’s club has lost eight consecutive games and remains in the basement of the North, sitting nine points back of the Cyclones coming into the weekend. Robert Czarnik remains a bright spot for the Fuel, though, by collecting a team-leading 24 points (14g, 10a) in 25 games. Veteran Garrett Bembridge has also been solid offensively, amassing 18 tallies (8g, 10a) in 23 contests. Goaltenders Mac Carruth and Cody Reichard have been cycling back-and-forth from the American Hockey League this season. Currently, Carruth is the go-to-guy in net - but has struggled; he’s 0-6-1-2 with a goals-against average of 3.43. Reichard, meanwhile, has earned a 5-6-1-1 mark in the ECHL this year with a GAA of 3.35.

Last Time Out: A 23-save performance from Rob Madore highlighted a 2-0 win for the Cyclones over the Jackals in front of 2,893 at U.S. Bank Arena last Saturday. It was the third time this season that the Cyclones have blanked an opponent, and second time for Madore.

Shooting Shutdown: The Cyclones have continued to stifle their opponents in the shots on net department. Coming into the week, they rank fourth-best in the ECHL by allowing an average of 26.79 shots per game. In fact, Cincy hasn’t allowed its opponent to reach the 30-shot plateau in any of the last five games.

Cy-Closers: Cincinnati has been nearly unbeatable when pulling ahead after two periods of play. In such situations this season, the Cyclones are an impressive 9-1-0-1 - the third most of any team in the North Division.

Season Series at a Glance (9 games - 3 home, 6 away - 6 remaining):
Nov 7 Indy 1 at Cincinnati 3 Final
Nov 28 Cincinnati 3 at Indy 2 Final
Nov 29 Cincinnati 3 at Indy 5 Final
Dec 26 Cincinnati at Indy 7:35pm EST
Dec 27 Cincinnati at Indy 7:35pm EST
Jan 9 Cincinnati at Indy 7:35pm EST
Feb 13 Indy at Cincinnati 7:30pm EST
Feb 14 Cincinnati at Indy 7:35pm EST
Apr 3 Indy at Cincinnati 7:30pm EDT