Released Schedule:
The Cincinnati Cyclones will kick off their home games on Saturday, October 26th, as they face off against the Indy Fuel. Following two away games on October 19th at Cleveland and October 25th at Fort Wayne, the Cyclones are eager to showcase their talent in their home opener. Fans can look forward to 9 Saturday home games at the Heritage Bank Center in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Additionally, 25 out of the 36 home games will be held on weekends, providing ample opportunities for themed and festive games that fans can enjoy throughout the season. With the majority of the games (60 out of 72) being played against divisional opponents, the rivalry is sure to be intense. Join us at the Heritage Bank Center to support the Cyclones and experience the thrill of live hockey.
Team Matchups:
The Cincinnati Cyclones are set to play the Toledo Walleye, their division rival, a whopping 12 times in the upcoming season, making it the most frequent matchup on their schedule, meaning a lot of bus rides on flat and boring I-75. Toledo recently lost to the Kansas City Mavericks in the ECHL Western Conference Final, and they have had the upper hand against the Cyclones in recent encounters. This upcoming season presents a great opportunity for the Cyclones to seek redemption and turn the tables.
Mark your calendars for November 1st as the exciting inaugural season match-up at Heritage Bank Arena brings the Bloomington Bison to town. As a newly affiliated team with the New York Rangers, the Bison will make their mark in the ECHL Central Division. The Cyclones will have six face-offs against the Bison this season, creating a thrilling opportunity for fans to witness the arrival of fresh talent at the arena.
The Cyclones have a packed schedule for the upcoming season with seven out-of-conference opponents. The home game schedule includes: January 15th vs Utah Grizzlies, January 17th vs Maine Mariners, January 29th vs Greenville Swamp Rabbits, February 7th vs Kansas City Mavericks, March 2nd vs Adirondack Thunder, & March 7th vs Wichita Thunder
Away games are as follows: December 13th, 14th, & 15th vs Norfolk Admirals, January 8th vs Savannah Ghost Pirates, & January 11th & 12th vs Atlanta Gladiators
Marquee Matchups:
Field Trip Day – (Tuesday, November 12th vs. Kalamazoo Wings)
Thanksgiving Eve – (Wednesday, November 27th vs. Kalamazoo Wings)
Black Friday – (Friday, November 29th vs. Wheeling Nailers)
New Year’s Eve – (Tuesday, December 31st vs. Toledo Walleye)
Fan Appreciation Weekend – (Friday, April 4th vs. Kalamazoo Wings and Saturday, April 5th vs. Toledo Walleye)
Themed Games (Full Promo Schedule Coming Soon)
Shutout the Hate – November 1st vs Bloomington Bison
Military Appreciation – November 15th vs Bloomington Bison
Indoor Fireworks (New Year’s Eve) – December 31st vs Toledo Walleye
Throwback Night – January 4th vs Indy Fuel
Teddy Bear Toss – February 1st vs Toledo Walleye
Cyclones Fight Cancer – March 15th vs Indy Fuel
Fan Appreciation – April 4th & 5th vs Kalamazoo Wings (4th)/Toledo Walleye (5th)
Related Post: Which NHL Team Should Pick Up the Cincinnati Cyclones as their ECHL Affiliate
NHL Affiliate TBD Soon?
On May 30th, the New York Rangers decided to end their affiliation with the Cincinnati Cyclones as their ECHL Affiliate and instead announced a new partnership with the Bloomington Bison. This change follows a one-year affiliation between New York and the Cyclones. As a result of this move, several NHL teams, including Utah, Columbus, Carolina, Toronto, and St. Louis, now have an opportunity to establish a partnership with the Cyclones. In my opinion, though, it’s an ideal time for three Ohio hockey teams to finally join forces.
The Cleveland Monsters, Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Cincinnati Cyclones are all located along I-71, making it convenient for player transfers between the AHL (Cleveland) and ECHL (Cincinnati). Uniting these teams has been long-awaited by fans and could greatly benefit all parties involved. The recent change in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ affiliation away from the Kalamazoo Wings presents an exciting opportunity. Having a strong ECHL Affiliate is crucial for player development and roster flexibility. A three-team system within the same state makes logistical sense, and I believe Columbus management should seriously consider this opportunity with Cincinnati.
