ECHL: Cyclones' Winning Streak Comes to an End Before Upcoming Three-Game Week

ECHL: Cyclones’ Winning Streak Comes to an End Before Upcoming Three-Game Week

The Cincinnati Cyclones’ five-game winning streak ended on Sunday as they lost 5-3 to the Atlanta Gladiators on the road in Georgia. Despite the loss, the Cyclones have won five out of their last six games, with victories against Bloomington, Indy, Fort Wayne, and Savannah, as well as splitting a series against Atlanta over the past weekend. With an 11-20-4 record, they find themselves back in the playoff race at this season’s midpoint. However, there’s still plenty of work to do, but this winning streak has clearly boosted the confidence of this young team, now giving themselves a chance to climb out of their not-as-deep hole.

Back on Track Offensively

During this stretch, the team has been rolling offensively, led by Lincoln Griffin and newcomer Braeden Kressler, a Toronto Maple Leafs signee who began the year with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL. Kressler has scored six goals and registered three assists through nine games with Cincinnati this season, while Griffin has accumulated 22 points in 33 games played, missing only one game out of the 34. Ty Voit and Dante Sheriff follow closely behind Griffin in forward points. Sheriff has 19 points, while Voit, also a Maple Leafs signee, has 18 points through 30 games played. Leading all defensemen in points and second on the team is 21-year-old rookie Chas Sharpe, who has not only scored 11 goals but also provided 10 assists for a total of 21 points.

The team has increased its shots on goal in recent games, creating more second-chance opportunities in front, with many screened/tipped-in shots for goals. Over the last six games, the Cyclones have fired 34, 29, 25, 21, 35, and 30 shots, showing a major improvement from earlier this season. Overall, the team appears more comfortable in their offensive system across all four lines, noticeably in breakouts and offensive-zone play, leading to more breakaways and odd-man rushes. Additionally, there has been sharper passing and better puck cycling in the offensive zone, resulting in more grade-A chances per game, increasing overall scoring during this recent successful stretch with more possession time.

Still Too Many Penalties

While the penalty kill has been solid over recent games, the team has still been taking too many penalties, which cost them against Atlanta, as the Gladiators converted 2 out of 6 power plays on Sunday. Recently, the Cyclones have managed to avoid power-play goals by blocking more shots and quicker puck clearing, particularly in last Wednesday’s game against Savannah, where they went 5 for 5 on the penalty kill. Moving forward, the team cannot rely on killing penalties all the time, especially against top divisional opponents like the Toledo Walleye, who have a dangerous 25% power play. Staying out of the penalty box will be crucial for their chance to make a playoff push. Keeping their PK clicking at a 78% rate, along with taking fewer penalties, can help keep them in games, especially with the average 17% power play they have.

Solid Defense & Goaltending Continues

Defensively, the Cyclones’ three defensive pairings have appeared quicker to pucks and shown more pressure over this successful stretch. This improvement has been most evident at the defensive blue line during five-on-five play, where they’ve continued to interfere with most opponents’ rushes, resulting in fewer odd-man rushes. Players have also been more physical, laying bodies along the boards and blocking more shots. One player who has shown up lately in the “enforcer” role is young forward Jacob Frasca, who is not afraid to lay a check and stand up for his teammates.

It has taken time for Head Coach Jason Payne to get all players on track with their defensive system, but it finally seems to be paying off for this young team. Hopefully, they can keep the energy and hard checking moving forward, especially against some of the bottom teams offensively in the Maine Mariners and Utah Grizzlies later this week.

Vyacheslav Peksa and Pavel Cajan have been a great goaltending tandem, each winning multiple games during this 6-4-0 stretch. Peksa was called up due to an injury to Marlies‘ goaltender Artur Akhtyamov last week, leaving Cajan to take over as the starting goalie. However, Jon Gillies was placed on the 14-day IR with an undisclosed injury last week, prompting the Cyclones to pick up William Lavallière from the Columbus River Dragons of the FPHL as a loan late last week to serve as the backup until either Gillies or Peksa returns.

On the season, Cajan has a .909 save percentage, allowing an average of 2.30 goals per game, and holding a record of 5-8-1. With stronger defensive play in front of him, he has enjoyed a run of successful performances, including a 1-0 shutout against the Savannah Ghost Pirates last Wednesday. Cajan faced five power plays that night, on top of stopping 30/30 shots, essentially stealing the game from Savannah. Moving forward, Cajan will remain the number one goalie unless he is called up to the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters if backup is needed.

Coming Up Next

The three teams the Cyclones will face this week are all under the .500 mark. First, they will host the Utah Grizzlies of the Mountain Division on Wednesday night at 7:35 PM EST, followed by hosting the Maine Mariners on Friday night, also at 7:35 PM EST. They will then head west on I-74 for a matchup against Central Division rival, the Indy Fuel, on Saturday at 7:00 PM EST. This is a crucial game in the Central Division playoff race and will be Cincinnati’s first-ever visit to the Fishers Event Center.