For Immediate Release: January 2, 2016

Game 29 (Road Game 14)

Vs. South Carolina Stingrays (18-10-2-1)

Saturday, January 2, 2016 - 7:05pm ET

North Charleston Coliseum - Charleston, SC

Overview: The Cincinnati Cyclones hit the road for a five-game southern trip, starting on Saturday night in South Carolina against the defending Eastern Conference Champion Stingrays. Cincinnati is coming off of a 4-0 win over the Toledo Walleye on Thursday night, marking the team’s first shutout of the season.

Thursday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (14-10-2-2) earned a 4-0 win over the Toledo Walleye on Thursday night. Forwards Nick Huard, Jack Downing, Zach Budish, and Christiaan Minella scored the goals for the Cyclones, while goaltender Brad Thiessen collected Cincinnati’s first shutout of the season. Thiessen was perfect in net, stopping all 18 shots he faced to collect his first shutout of his Cyclones career. Cincinnati outshot Toledo, 23-18 on the night, while the power play went 1-for-6.

Tuesday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (13-10-2-2) fell to the Indy Fuel, 5-1, on Tuesday night. Forward Jack Downing scored the lone goal for the Cyclones, who suffer just their second regulation loss at home this season. Cincinnati was outshot on the night, 25-23, while the power play converted on one-of-three chances.  

Last Saturday Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (13-9-2-2) fell to the Evansville IceMen, 4-2, on Saturday night. Forwards Andrew Yogan and Mike Hammond scored the lone goals for the Cyclones. Cincinnati was outshot, 51-19 on the night, with Neil Conway stopping 47 in the loss.

Previewing South Carolina: The Stingrays currently sit in third place in the ECHL’s South Division, five points back of Division-leader Florida. They are coming off of a 5-3 win over the Orlando Solar Bears on Tuesday night, and have won their last three games, and five of their last seven. The Stingrays are led in scoring by a pair of former Cyclones in forwards David Pecan (6g, 14a), and Stephan Vigier (8g, 10a). Forward Andrew Rowe is tied for second on the team in scoring with 18 points (6g, 12a), followed by forward Brett Cameron with 17 (8g, 9a).

Inside the Series: This is the first of two meetings between the Cyclones and Stingrays this season, with the second coming on Sunday afternoon.  Cincinnati and South Carolina met three times last season, with Cincinnati posting a 0-1-0-2 record. Overall, these teams have met 34 times all-time, with the Cyclones holding a 21-9-3-1 record. 

Next Game Preview: The Cyclones wrap up the weekend and season series with the Stingrays on Sunday afternoon. Faceoff is scheduled for 3:05pm ET.

TOP STORYLINES

Diaby and Thiessen Recalled: Defenseman Jonathan Diaby (Milwaukee Admirals), and goaltender Brad Thiessen (Lake Erie Monsters) have been recalled by their respective American Hockey League (AHL) clubs. This will be the second stint in Milwaukee this season for Diaby, who skated in two games for the Admirals, however did not register a point. A 2013, third round selection of the Nashville Predators, Diaby has appeared in 17 games this season for the Cyclones, totaling an assist and 11 penalty minutes. Thiessen, who was just reassigned by Lake Erie on Wednesday, heads to Lake Erie for the second time this season, after posting an 18-save shutout in Friday night’s 4-0 win over the Toledo Walleye. He appeared in two games for the Monsters earlier this season, posting a 2.60 goals-against average, and an .850 save percentage. He currently ranks third in the League with a 0.935 save percentage, and fifth with a 1.86 goals-against average. Diaby’s Admirals and Thiessen’s Monsters faceoff against one another on Saturday night in Milwaukee.

Cyclones Sign Toomey and Gates: Cincinnati has signed forward Connor Toomey, and defenseman Jeremy Gates. Toomey, a rookie from Billerica, MA, made his Cyclones debut in Friday’s 4-0 win over the Toledo Walleye. He appeared in 20 games with the Macon Mayhem and Peoria Rivermen of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), accounting for six goals and 14 assists between the two teams. He averaged two points per game in three games with the Rivermen, accounting for three goals and three assists. Gates also comes from the SPHL, skating in 21 games for the Pensacola Ice Flyers, accounting for four goals and 12 assists in that time. A native of Jackson, MI, Gates has seen time in the ECHL before, spending parts of the last three seasons with the Fort Wayne Komets and Rapid City Rush. In 66 career ECHL games, the 28-year-old rearguard has accounted for three goals and 16 assists, along with 19 penalty minutes.

Clean Sheet: The Cyclones’ 4-0 win over the Toledo Walleye on Thursday marked the first shutout of the season for Cincinnati. It also marked the 15th time this season that the Cyclones have allowed two or fewer goals in a game.

The Road Ahead: The Cyclones are getting ready to log a ton of bus miles over the next few weeks, with 8 of the team’s next 10 games on the road. The Cyclones will be heading to South Carolina, Atlanta, Norfolk, and Allen. The road hasn’t been too kind to Cincinnati this season, as the Cyclones have compiled a 4-8-1-0 record away from U.S. Bank Arena. Despite the struggles on the road, the Cyclones are averaging 3.41 goals per game in road contests.

The 2015-2016 season is underway! Your Cyclones are on the march towards another Kelly Cup Championship, and want you along for the ride! Be sure to check out one of our 2015-16 Ticket Packages, available NOW! Call 513.421.PUCK to reserve your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), Instagram, and our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!