For Immediate Release: April 23, 2016

Kelly Cup Playoffs

Western Conference Quarterfinals, Game 5 vs. Ft. Wayne Komets

Saturday, April 23, 2016 - 7:35 pm ET

U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH

Best-Of-Seven Series Tied, 2-2

Overview: The Cincinnati Cyclones fell to the Ft. Wayne Komets on Friday night by a score of 3-2 in double overtime, in a thrilling back-and-forth affair. The Cyclones and Komets are now tied, 2-2, in their best-of-seven Western Conference Quarterfinal series.

Game 4 Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones fell to the Ft. Wayne Komets, 3-2 in double overtime, on Friday night. Forwards Jack Downing and Christiaan Minella scored the goals for Cincinnati, who are now tied in their best-of-seven Western Conference Quarterfinal series with Ft. Wayne, 2-2. The Cyclones were outshot, 56-31 on the night, with goaltender Brad Thiessen stopping 53 in the loss.

Game 3 Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones fell to the Ft. Wayne Komets, 8-0 on Wednesday night, in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Despite the loss, the Cyclones still lead the best-of-seven series, 2 games to 1. The Komets outshot Cincinnati, 29-21 on the night, with goaltenders Brad Thiessen and Brandon Whitney combining to stop 21.

Game 2 Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones picked up a 3-2 win over the Ft. Wayne Komets in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Forwards Andrew Yogan, Zach Budish, and Christiaan Minella scored the goals for the Cyclones, who lead the best-of-seven series, 2 games to 0. The Komets outshot Cincinnati, 33-20, with goaltender Brad Thiessen turning aside 31 to collect the win.

Game 1 Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones collected a 3-2 win over the Ft. Wayne Komets, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals on Friday night. Forward Tommy Mele netted a pair of goals, while forward Jack Downing chipped in one for the Cyclones. Goaltender Brad Thiessen stopped 33 of the 35 shots he faced to help lift the Cyclones to the win.

News and Notes

Fighting the Rubber: Cyclones netminder Brad Thiessen has been busy through the first four games of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, stopping 31 or more shots in three of those contests. He had a career playoff-high 53 saves in last nights 3-2 double overtime loss to the Komets, and has made 126 saves on 137 shots for a .920 save percentage in his four starts.

Impact Player: Christiaan Minella tallied his second goal of the 2016 postseason in last night’s 3-2 double overtime loss to the Komets, and is now tied for the team lead in goals. He lit the lamp with 32.2 seconds left in regulation to send Cincinnati to a 3-2, Game 2 victory over the Ft. Wayne Komets, marking his second-career postseason game-winning goal. Minella is coming off a career-high 14-goal regular season, and he also tied his career high in points with 22.

Leading By Example: Forward Andrew Yogan assisted on Jack Downing’s first period goal in last night’s 3-2 double overtime loss to the Komets, and he now leads the Cyclones in playoff scoring with four points (1g, 3a). In 43 games in the regular season, Yogan accounted for 34 points (15g, 28a).

Career Years: A number of Cyclones reached personal bests in terms of offensive production this season. Forwards Jack Downing, Zach Budish, and Tommy Mele saw career highs in all three major statistical categories, with Downing recording 32 goals and 32 assists for 64 points, while Budish recorded a stat line of 24 goals and 34 assists for 58 points. Mele was a midseason addition to the Cyclones, coming to Cincinnati in mid-January in a trade with the Norfolk Admirals. In 74 games between the Admirals and Cyclones, Mele was responsible for 27 goals and 25 assists for 52 points. Also reaching a new personal best was forward Christiaan Minella, who potted a career-high 14 goals, and tied his career-high with 22 points.

The Kids Are Alright: The Cyclones’ rookie corps were a very important part to Cincinnati’s success this season. Overall, Cyclones rookies accounted for 55 goals and 102 assists for 157 points. Forward Nick Huard led the way, ranking sixth in League rookie scoring with 52 points (21g, 31a), followed by forwards Peter Quenneville (11g, 15a), and Joe Wilson (11g, 14a) who round out the top three rookie scorers on the team.

Down the Stretch they Come: The Cyclones were lights out this season when entering the third period with a lead, posting a record of 30-1-0-1 when leading after 40 minutes of play. The Cyclones also enjoyed their highest offensive production in the third period, outscoring teams 82-68 in the final frame, including 52-38 in the last 10 minutes of regulation.

Playoff History: This is the eighth time Cincinnati has made the postseason since returning to the ECHL prior to the 2006-2007 season, and the second time the Cyclones and Komets will meet in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. The two sides clashed in the 2014 Eastern Conference Semifinals, with Cincinnati taking the best-of-seven series, 4 games to 2. The Cyclones went on to lose in the Kelly Cup Finals to the Alaska Aces that season, 4 games to 2. Cincinnati won the Kelly Cup in 2008 and again in 2010.

Season Series Recap:

Overall: The 2015-16 regular season series between the Cyclones and Komets was about as close as it could have been, as both teams won five games of the 10-game series. The Cyclones had the advantage in the first five games of the season, posting a 3-1-1-0 record while outscoring Ft. Wayne, 16-10. The Komets managed to even up the series in the second half of the season, posting wins in three of the final five meetings, and holding a 23-17 edge in goals scored.

In Cincinnati: Seven of the 10 meetings, including four of the final five, took place at U.S. Bank Arena with Cincinnati coming away with victories in three of those contests (3-3-1-0). The Komets held a slight offensive advantage over the Cyclones, outscoring Cincinnati 27-22. 

In Ft. Wayne: Even though there were only three games played in Ft. Wayne this season, the Cyclones had a decided advantage over the Komets. Cincinnati picked up wins in two of the three contests while outscoring Ft. Wayne, 11-6, including a combined 10-2 in the first two meetings back on October 31 and November 26.

The 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs are upon us! YOUR Cyclones are on the march towards another Kelly Cup Championship, and want you along for the ride! Be sure to get your single game tickets, or check out one of our 2016 Kelly Cup Playoff 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!