ECHL: Cincinnati Cyclones Team Updates l 01/09/2025

On Thursday, January 9th, 2025, the Cincinnati Cyclones saw one transaction ahead of Saturday’s game against the Gladiators in Atlanta, Georgia, at 7:00 PM EST. The Cyclones are riding a four-game winning streak, winning five out of their last six games, beating Toledo, Bloomington, Indy, Fort Wayne, and Savannah over this stretch. They have moved out of last place in the ECHL standings, pulling three points ahead of the Utah Grizzlies with a record of 10-19-4, eight points, and four games out of the final Central playoff spot. They currently trail the Indy Fuel by eight points in the Central Division, but the Fuel have three games at hand with only 30 games played so far. While there is still much work to be done, it’s encouraging to see this younger team finally finding cohesion and playing well for a full 60 minutes in their systems on both ends of the ice.

On Monday, the Cyclones traded forward Mason McCarty to the Idaho Steelheads in exchange for future considerations from the club, which means a potential bottom-end player down the road most likely. McCarty had limited playing time with Cincinnati, participating in only 14 games and scoring one goal after joining the Cyclones from Rapid City earlier in the season. He played in nine games with the Rapid City Rush earlier this season, also scoring one goal and one assist, resulting in a plus/minus rating of -5. In November, he was traded from the Rapid City Rush to the Cyclones in exchange for forward Patrick Bajkov, who is now with the Bloomington Bison and will face the Cyclones next on January 25.

Called Up;

Vyacheslav Peksa, G: Recalled to Toronto Marlies by Toronto Maple Leafs

Peksa has been the primary backup goaltender for the Cyclones this season, playing behind Pavel Cajan. He has appeared in a total of 15 games for Cincinnati, which is the most among the team’s three goaltenders this season. Cajan has played 12 games, while Jon Gillies has played eight. Peksa currently has a goals-against average of 3.20 and a save percentage of 0.875, with a record of 3-8-2.

Peksa now has the opportunity to prove himself at a higher level in the AHL, having played only one game at that level in his career so far. Unfortunately, that game did not go well for him, as he allowed six goals, resulting in a save percentage of 0.778.

Héctor Urcia for Inside The Rink — Photo: Hector Urcia l Inside the Rink

During Peksa’s absence, Pavel Cajan is expected to take on the bulk of the goaltending duties, while the Cyclones are currently on a hot streak with four consecutive wins. They are heading into a two-game series against the Gladiators in Atlanta. It is hoped that Cajan won’t be called up to the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL while Peksa is away, as this would leave the Cyclones with only one goalie and would force them to find another backup in that scenario.