For Immediate Release: April 27, 2016

Kelly Cup Playoffs

Quarterfinals, Game 7 vs. Ft. Wayne Komets

Wednesday, April 27, 2016 - 7:30 pm ET

War Memorial Coliseum - Ft. Wayne, IN 

Best-Of-Seven Series Tied, 3-3

Overview: The Cincinnati Cyclones and Komets will meet in a decisive Game 7 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals on Wednesday night. The two sides went to overtime for the third straight game on Monday night, with the Komets wining 2-1.

Game 6 Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones fell to the Ft. Wayne Komets on Monday night, 2-1 in overtime, in Game 6 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Forward Andrew Yogan scored the lone goal for the Cyclones, who are tied with the Komets, 3-3, in the best-of-seven series. Cincinnati was outshot, 41-24 on the night, while the power play was held scoreless on all nine chances.

Game 5 Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones earned a 5-4 double overtime victory over the Ft. Wayne Komets on Saturday night, in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. With the win, Cincinnati is now ahead, 3 games to 2, in their best-of-seven series. Defenseman Andrew Blazek tallied a pair of goals while defenseman Steve Weinstein and forward Branden Gracel added lone tallies in regulation, and defenseman Jonathan Diaby netted the game winner in double overtime for the Cyclones.

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.

News and Notes

Game 7 Success: Wednesday’s Game 7 will be the sixth Game 7 for the Cyclones since returning to the ECHL prior to the 2006-07 season, with the Cyclones posting a 4-1 mark in the first five. Cincinnati’s most recent Game 7 win came in 2010, when the Cyclones won back-to-back Game 7’s on their way to their second Kelly Cup.

Working Overtime: The Cyclones and Komets have played in three-straight overtime games, with Ft. Wayne coming away with wins in two of them. Games 4 and 5 were double overtime games, with each team winning one, and combining to play 184:57 of game time in roughly 28 hours. Game 6 only needed 5:30 of extra time, with the Komets skating away victorious.

‘O’ from the ‘D’: After coming into Game 5 with only one point, the Cyclones’ defensive corps has combined for three goals and five assists over the last two games. Defensemen Andrew Blazek, Jonathan Diaby, and Steve Weinstein each scored in Saturday’s 5-4 double overtime win over the Komets, while Blazek and Cody Carlson, Riley Weselowski, and Brett Wysopal have each chipped in assists. The Cyclones’ defensive corps accounted for 30 goals and 113 assists in the regular season, with Garrett Noonan leading the way with 43 points (9g, 34a).

Fighting the Rubber: Cyclones netminder Brad Thiessen has been busy through the first six games of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, stopping 31 or more shots in five of those contests. He had a career playoff-high 53 saves in Friday night’s 3-2 double overtime loss to the Komets, and has made 206 saves on 223 shots for a .924 save percentage in his six starts.

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!