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DATE: Monday, February 20, 2012
TIME: 2:00pm ET
SITE: U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
RADIO: None
WEBCAST: CyclonesHockey.com (America One)

NHL AFFILIATES
Cincinnati Cyclones: Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
Gwinnett Gladiators: Phoenix Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres

NEXT HOME GAME (After Tonight)
Wednesday, February 22 - 7:30pm vs. Gwinnett Gladiators
Wet Wednesday / Pucks N Pinot / Mardi Gras Night - Fans 21+ can enjoy $1 PBR and Miller High Life. Plus, a pre-game wine tasting is available for purchase!

TODAY'S MATCHUP: Another extremely busy week opens up for the Cyclones today as they kick off a stretch of five games in seven days - beginning with a special matinee battle against the Gwinnett Gladiators. Since 2006, the teams have only met five times with the Cyclones owning a 3-2-0 record. Two of those wins have come at 100 Broadway.

TODAY'S PROMOTION: KIDS CLUB MATINEE GAME - Members of the Cyclones Kids Club receive a FREE game ticket!

SCOUTING THE GLADIATORS: Gwinnett is currently the hottest team in the ECHL, with two consecutive victories and point in nine out of their last ten games. They are atop the Eastern Conference leader board with a record of 29-13-7-4 but have not been nearly as strong on the road; away from Gwinnett Center, the Gladiators are just 10-8-7-1. Offensively, they have found production from all angles as seven players have 30 points or more. Nakita Kashirsky is the scoring leader with 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists) in 50 games. Bryan Brutlag has been among team and rookie leaders in scoring as well; in 53 contests, the first-year pro has 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists), good for sixth among rookies. With goaltender Jeff Jakaitis on injured reserve, Joe Palmer has taken the reins in net. Between his time in Reading and Gwinnett, he has amassed a 10-7-1-2 record with a 2.95 goals-against average.

About Saturday Night in Chicago: The Cyclones exploded for five goals in the final two periods as they rolled past the Express by a 7-3 final score in front of 2,046 at Sears Centre. With the victory, Cincinnati took over sole possession of second place in the North Division standings.

Sisca’s Soaring: Cyclones rookie forward Matt Sisca has continued to be a steady source of offense. He has posted 21 points in 20 games since getting traded from Bakersfield. On Sunday, he earned his second four-point night as a Cyclone and now has points in 8 of his last 11 games. Cincinnati is 8-2-1-2 when he finds the scoresheet.

The New Faces: Last week, the Cyclones acquired defenseman Nick Tabisz from South Carolina. Cincinnati’s new rookie rear guard has 20 points in 45 total games. In addition, they signed forwards Luke Stauffacher and Dean Yakura. Stauffacher has earned 228 in 286 professional games. Yakura, meanwhile, has spent this season with Danbury in the FHL.

SEASON SERIES (5 Meetings - 5 Remaining)
Feb. 20 Gwinnett at Cincinnati 2:00pm EST
Feb. 22 Gwinnett at Cincinnati 7:30pm EST
Mar. 10 Cincinnati at Gwinnett 7:05pm EST
Mar. 14 Cincinnati at Gwinnett 7:05pm EDT
Mar. 16 Cincinnati at Gwinnett 7:35pm EDT