For Immediate Release: March 23, 2018

Game 65 (Home Game 34)

Vs. Atlanta Gladiators (30-32-2-3, 65 pts)

Friday, March 22, 2018 - 7:35pm ET

U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH

FULL GAME NOTES | LAST GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Overview: The Cyclones dropped their fourth in a row on Thursday night, however still maintain the third spot in the ECHL’s Central Division, three points ahead of the Kalamazoo Wings. The Cyclones have eight games remaining including Friday night, and Friday marks the end of a four-game homestand. 

Last Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (35-26-3-0) fell, 6-2, to the Atlanta Gladiators on Thursday night. Forwards Alex Kile and Justin Vaive scored the goals for the Cyclones, while Atlanta’s Lindsay Sparks recorded a hat trick. The Cyclones were outshot, 29-27 on the night, with goaltender Jason Kasdorf stopping 23 in the loss.

Tuesday Night Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (35-25-3-0) dropped a heartbreaking 4-3 overtime decision to the Indy Fuel on Tuesday evening. Forward Justin Vaive recorded his third hat trick of the season, while forward Jesse Schultz crossed the 50-assist plateau with three helpers. Indy outshot the Cyclones, 38-17, with goaltender Jason Kasdorf steering aside 34 in defeat.

Sunday Afternoon Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (35-25-2-0) fell to the Toledo Walleye on Sunday afternoon, 4-1. Forward Jesse Schultz had the lone marker for the Cyclones. Shots in this game were tied, 27-27, with Cyclones goaltender Paul Berrafato stopping 23 in the loss.

Previewing Atlanta: The Gladiators enter Friday sitting in fourth place in the ECHL South Division, seven points up on both the Jacksonville Icemen and Norfolk Admirals. They snapped their three-game skid on Thursday, however they have loses in four of their last six games, They are averaging 2.88 goals per game, and are led offensively by forward  Lindsay Sparks who has accounted for 57 points (16g, 41a) in 56 games, including a hat trick in Thursday’s 6-2 win over the Cyclones. He is followed by Phil Lane who has accounted for a team-leading 32 goals along with 24 assists for 56 points, and Branden Troock (17g, 26a) who round out the top three. In goal, Dan Vladar has shouldered the bulk of the load, posting a 16-17-1-1 record, along with a 2.93 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. 

Inside the Series: Friday wraps up the two-game season series between the Cyclones and Gladiators, with Atlanta taking the 6-2 win on Thursday. The teams met twice last year, with Cincinnati posting a 0-1-1-0 record in those contests. Overall, Atlanta has a 4-3-0-0 lead in the last seven meetings. 

Next Game Preview: The Cyclones head to Wheeling to take on the Nailers in the finale of a three-in-three, and the last games of Cincinnati’s 7-in-9. The Cyclones have a 3-1-0-0 lead in the season series. 

 NEED-TO-KNOW

Streaky Behavior: Forward Jesse Schultz extended his point streak to seven games with an assist in Thursday’s 6-2 loss to the Atlanta Gladiators. Schultz has a goal and nine assists on his current streak, and he currently ranks second in the ECHL with 70 points (17g, 53a), and is the first player in the ECHL to reach the 50-assist plateau. 

Cyclones Add Linhart: The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Buffalo Sabres and the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Rochester Americans have received defenseman Jake Linhart from the Americans. Signed to an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO) by the Americans last week, Linhart is coming off a successful career at the University of Wisconsin, appearing in 142 career games for the Badgers, and accounting for 15 goals and 45 assists in that time. He served as assistant captain during his senior season as well. Prior to Wisconsin, he spent two seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League, totaling 27 points (3g, 24a) in 116 games. He was also teammates with Cyclones forward Alex Kile during the 2012-13 season. 

Glotov Signs with ‘Clones: The Cyclones have signed Vasili Glotov to an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO). A native of Barnaul, RUS, Glotov has spent the last two seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) appearing in 128 games between the Shawinigan Cataractes and the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, amassing 44 goals and 49 assists in 128 career games. He was a 2016, seventh- round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres.

Weber Returns: Thursday and Friday marks the return of current Atlanta Gladiators head coach and former Cyclones bench boss, Chuck Weber, to U.S. Bank Arena. In the four years as Cyclones head coach, from 2006-11, Chuck led the Cyclones to a pair of Kelly Cup Championships, while posting  a 177-92-8-11 record. 

Power Surge: The Cyclones have at least one power play goal in 19 of their last 26 games, going 26-for-87 in that stretch (29.8%). They also have the second-ranked power play unit in the League overall with a 20.7% power play conversion rate (51/246), and they have the top home power play unit at 25.4% (31/122).

Cyclones Add Berrafato: The Cyclones have signed goaltender Paul Berrafato to a Standard Player Contract (SPC).  A native of Williamsville, NY, Berrafato skated in his first pro game on Sunday afternoon, stopping 23-of-27 shots in Cincinnati’s 4-1 loss to the Toledo Walleye. He recently completed a successful collegiate career at the College of Holy Cross where he boasted a record of 46-45-19 record over four seasons. His 2.27 career goals against average are rank him first in program history, while his six shutouts place him second, Additionally, he is tied for second all-time with a .915 save percentage.  He was also teammates with Cyclones forward Mike Barrett during his freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons.  His junior hockey career saw him skate in 117 games over four seasons with the United States Hockey League’s (USHL) Muskegon Lumberjacks and the Amarillo Bulls of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). He posted a 65-25-15 record a GAA of under 2.20 in two of his four junior seasons.

Finishing What They Started: The Cyclones have a 24-1-0-0 record when leading through two periods this season. This is a continuing trend from last season, when the Cyclones were 23-1-3-1 when leading after one, and 26-1-2-0 when leading after 40 minutes. 

New Affiliation: This offseason, the Cyclones, in conjunction with the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Buffalo Sabres, announced a new affiliation agreement. For Cincinnati, the move comes following a 10-year partnership with the Nashville Predators, while the Sabres recently concluded a two-year relationship with the now-defunct Elmira Jackals. This affiliation will be a reunion of sorts for the cities of Cincinnati and Buffalo, as the Sabres’ American Hockey League (AHL) Affiliate from 1971-1974 was the Cincinnati Swords. The Rochester Americans will serve as Cincinnati’s new AHL affiliate, and have been the AHL affiliate of the Sabres since 2011. This is not the first time Cincinnati and Rochester have been affiliated, as the two clubs teamed up in 2010-11 when the Americans were affiliated with the Florida Panthers.

Stay Connected!: Follow the latest news on Twitter (@CincyCyclones), Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and more! Also, for all of the latest news and notes, head over to www.cycloneshockey.com.

The 2017-18 season is underway, and the Cincinnati Cyclones want YOU along for the ride! Call (513) 421-PUCK for information regarding Cyclones single game tickets, ticket packages, and Season and Group Tickets! Also, stay on top of the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!