Queen City Sports: Cincinnati Cyclones. NHL 20

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Introduction:
The NHL announced the 32nd team would not be Seattle. The Cincinnati Cyclones have been named the new expansion team as they earned a promotion from the ECHL. Jersey design, logo, and Arena will remain the same. Ron Francis will be the GM and Antoine Racine was named the head coach. Thomas was announced as head coach of the Cyclones in 2018 for their ECHL play. He will remain the coach through the jump to NHL. Their AHL team will be played in Marquette, MI called the Michigan Wildcats. Cincinnati will compete in the Central Division. The Cyclones will start play in the 2019-2020 season as their first order of business is the expansion draft.

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Expansion Draft:
June 21, 2019-
Ana- RW Daniel Sprong
Ari- G Adin Hill
Bos- D Brandon Carlo
Buf- RW Kyle Okposo
Cgy- D Mark Giordano
Car- D Haydn Fleury
Chi- D Carl Dahlstrom
Col- G Semyon Varlamov
CBJ- C Matt Duchene
Dal- RW Valeri Nichushkin
Det- LW Givani Smith
Edm- D Adam Larsson
Fla- LW Juho Lammikko
LA- RW Tyler Toffoli
Min- RW Pontus Aberg
Mtl-D Xavier Ouellet
Nsh- G Juuse Saros
NJ- D Mirco Mueller
NYI- LW Anders Lee
NYR-LW Jimmy Vesey
Ott- LW Morgan Klimchuk
Phi- D Robert Hagg
Pit- C Domink Simon
SJ- RW Gustav Nyquist
STL- C Tyler Bozak
TB- C Anthony Cirelli
Tor- LW Dmytro Timashov
Van- LW Tyler Motte
Was- RW Andre Burakovsky
Wpg- D Tyler Meyers

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Draft:
July 23, 2019-
Cincinnati will hold the 4th overall pick. Los Angeles will have number 1 pick and they took C Jack Hughes.



Cyclones picks:
Round 1 (4)- RW Kaapo Kakko
Round 2 (48)- C Blake Murray
Round 2 (54)- G Hunter Jones
Round 3 (87)- RW Alex Beaucage
Round 4 (127)- LW Dominik Sklenar
Round 5 (131)- D Simon Lundmark
Round 6 (173)- RW Rory Cousins
Round 7 (195)- D Viktor Safronov
Round 7 (204)- D Artem Turakov

Trades:
Avalanche acquired: 2019 1st round pick
Canadiens acquired: 2019 1st round pick, 2020 4th round pick

Canadiens acquired: 2019 2nd round pick
Cyclones acquired: 2019 2nd round pick, 2019 3rd round pick

Senators acquired: 2019 2nd round pick, 2020 5th round pick
Coyotes acquired: 2019 2nd round pick

Senators acquired: 2019 2nd round pick, 2020 4th round pick
Golden Knights acquired: 2019 2nd round pick

Cyclones acquired: 2019 2nd round pick
Panthers acquired: 2019 3rd round pick, 2019 4th round pick

Red Wings acquired: 2019 2nd round pick
Devils acquired: 2020 3rd round pick, 2019 4th round pick

Cyclones acquired: 2019 3rd round pick, 2019 4th round pick
Maple Leafs acquired: 2019 3rd round pick

Hurricanes acquired: 2019 5th round pick
Sharks acquired: RW Justin Williams, 2019 6th round pick

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Pre-Season:
October 12,2019-
Key players to watch:
LW Artemi Panarin signed to be the young face of the franchise as he signed a 7 year deal.
C Matt Duchene was the teams first pick in the expansion draft, as he also has a 7 year deal.
RW Gustav Nyquist returns to the Midwest as he signed a 4 year deal.
RW Kaapo Kakko was the teams first draft pick as he should have a spot on the final roster.
D Mark Gioradano will be the veteran role on the blue line
D Tyler Myers was a big Free Agency signing for the new franchise.

Recap:
Vs Jets 4-0W the first preseason game kicked off the franchise on the right foot. Mrazek posted a shutout making 33 saves and Vanek had 2 goals, Bozak had 2 assists. Okposo and Panarin both added goals. Kakko got an assist.

Vs Blues 6-2W 2 for 2 as the team continues to have an offensive surge. Panarin added 2 assists, Girordano had 1 goal, 1 assist. Kakko had 2 assists. Duchene, Lee, Carlo, Larsson, And Mueller added goals.

@ Stars 3-4 SOL we blew a 3-1 lead and lost in a shootout. Panarin scored 2 goals, Myers scored the 3rd.

@ Wild 3-6 L a bad outing for the Cyclones. Vanek scored 2 goals, Kakko scored his first goal.

Vs Predators 3-0W another shutout this time for backup Saros. Panarin continues his hot streak as he scored 2 goals. Duchene had 2 assists. Filppula had the 3rd goal.

@ Blackhawks 1-4L back to back night games hurt the Cyclones. Nyquist netted the only goal.

@ Avalanche 1-4L to end the preseason. Lee scored the goal.

Transactions:
Panthers acquired: 2021 3rd and 4th round pick
Rangers acquired: RW Pominville, 2020 4th round pick, 2021 4th round pick

Final roster:
LW Artemi Panarin (A)/C Matt Duchene (A) /RW Gustav Nyquist
LW Anders Lee/C Tyler Bozak/RW Thomas Vanek
LW Kyle Okposo/C Valtteri Filppula/RW Kaapo Kakko (R)
LW Pontus Aberg/C Dominik Simon/ RW Andre Burakovsky
D Adam Larsson/D Mark Giordano (C)
D Tyler Myers/D Mirco Mueller
D Brandon Carlo/D Haydn Fleury
G Petr Mrazek/G Juuse Saros
Scratched LW Tyler Motte, D Joe Morrow, RW Daniel Sprong

Season Preview:
Panarin looks like he is in mid season form as he had 8pts in 7 games as the Cyclones finished the preseason 3-3-1. Vanek had 6pts, and Nyquist had 5, rookie Kakko had 4pts. The home opener against the Golden Knights will also be a T-Shirt giveaway night for the Cyclones. November 24 against the Stars is a Kakko bobble head night. December 22 against the Kings will be a scar giveaway. January 14 will be Duchene bobble head night. February 24 against the Rangers is Panarin bobble head night. To finish the promotion nights, the final home game of the regular season against the Penguins will be a puck giveaway. Looking at the roster and the goalie play in the preseason this should be a good season for the Cyclones. They will be compared to the run the Golden Knights had in their inaugural season, as I don't think this team will match their success. A playoff berth might be a reach in a tough Central division. This teams ceiling is probably around 6 in the conference. They still need some pieces moving forward, but the right foundation is built with the young, but experienced, stars on the team. The state of the team would be hopeful.

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Cyclones vs Golden Knights:
October 13, 2019-
Preview:
The first game of the Cyclones franchise is against the NHL's 31st team. The Cyclones look to start the regular season like they did the preseason with a shutout victory. It's free T-Shirt giveaway night for the inaugural game.



Recap:
Cin 4-2 VGK
In the inaugural game the Cyclones win. Mrazek made 28 saves in tonight's game. Panarin netted the inaugural goal only 3 minutes into the game. Duchene would score 2 goals, and Nyquist would add one himself. Haula and Stastny scored for Vegas. Vegas went 0/1 on power plays, while Cincinnati went 1/2.

Scoring Summary:
P1 Cin Panarin (1) (Larsson)
P2 Cin Duchene (1) (Nyquist)
P3 VGK Haula (1) (Pacioretty, Miller)
P3 Cin Nyquist (1) (Panarin)
P3 VGK Stastny (1) (Marchessault, Stone)
P3 Cin Duchene (2)

3Stars:
***Cin Mrazek 2.00GAA, 28Saves, .933save%
**Cin Nyquist 1goal, 1assist
*Cin Duchene 2goals, 1 hit

Stats:
Vegas-
Stastny 1G, 1pts, 5/9FO, 0+/-
Miller 1A, 1pts, 1Hit, +1
Pacioretty 1A, 1pts,1hit, 0+/-
Marchessault 1A, 1pts, 0+/-
Haula 1G, 1pts, 7/9Fo, 3hits, -1
Stone 1A, 1pts, +1
Dansk 31SA, 27saves, 4.02 GAA, .871 save%
Cincinnati-
Nyquist 1G,1A 2pts, +3
Panarin 1G,1A, 2pts, +2
Duchene 2G,2pts, 1 hit, 3/10FO, +2
Larsson 1A, 1pts, 2 hits, +1
Mrazek 30SA, 28 saves, 2.00GAA, .933save%

Next:
Cincinnati has a quick turnaround as they travel to New York to take on the Islanders tomorrow night.

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Cyclones (1-0-0) @ Islander (0-1-0):
October 14, 2019-
Preview:
The Cyclones beat the Golden Knights last night in their first game. It was a huge victory but a quick turnaround will test the chemistry of this team. Juuse Saros will get the start as Mrazek will get a rest day. Islanders are searching for their first win as well as their first points, as they are coming off a 2-0 shutout loss to the Rangers.



Recap:
Cin 3-4 NYI OT
New York wins in an overtime thriller as Barzal nets the final goal. Kappo Kakko scored his first goal of his career and had his firs assist. New York went 2/2 on the power play as they took full advantage of Cincinnati mistakes.

Score Summary:
P1 NYI Beauvillier (1) (Kronwall)
P2 NYI Eberle (1) (Barzal)
P2 Cin Kakko (1) (Okposo, Filppula)
P3 Cin Duchene (3) (Kakko, Panarin)
P3 NYI Beauvillier (2) (Pulock, Kronwall)
P3 Cin Vanek (1) (Myers)
OT NYI Barzal (Eberle, Leddy)

3 Stars:
***NYI Eberle 1G,1A, 1hit
**NYI Barzal 1G, 1A, 1 hit
*NYI Beauvillier 2G, 1 hit

Stats:
New York-
Beauvillier 2G, 2pts, 1hit, 12/16 FO
Eberle 1G, 1A, 2pts, 1 hit, 1/1 FO
Kronwall 2A, +1, 2pts
Barzal 1G, 1A, +1, 2pts, 1 hit, 12/24 FO
Pulock 1A, 1pts, 3hits
Leddy 1A, 1pts, 1hit
Greiss 37SA, 34saves, .919save%, 2.79GAA
Cincinnati-
Kakko 1G, 1A, 2pts, 1 hit
Myers 1A, 1pts, +2, 4hits
Panarin 1A, 1pts, 1 hit, 2/5FO
Duchene 1G, 1pts, 13/25FO
Flippula 1A, 1Pts, 1 hit, +1, 6/17 FO
Vanek 1G, 1pts, 0/1 FO
Okposo 1A, 1pts, +1, 1 hit, 0/1 FO

Next:
The Cyclones get a point, as the will look to bounce back from the overtime loss. They travel out West to take on the Kings.

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Cyclones (1-0-1) @ Kings (1-0-1):
October 17, 2019-
Preview:
The Cyclones travel out west with a tea, with the same record as them. Jeff Carter leads the Kings with 4pts. Top draft pick Jack Hugh's will be the Kings future at Center. Jonathan Quick will be the goaltender for LA. Cincy will look to turn around after a overtime loss a few nights ago.

Recap:
Cin 2-5 LA
A rough game for the Cyclones as they jumped to a 1-0 lead but gave up 3 goals in the 3rd. That was too much to overcome as the Cyclones out sho the Kings 35-29. Lee had both goals for the Cyclones. 5 different Kings scored. Quick had left the game with an injury in the 2nd period.

Score Summary:
P1 Cin Lee (1) (Vanek, Giordano)
P2 LAK Forbort (1) (Clifford, Lafallo)
P2 LAK Carter (3) (Kempa, Engelland)
P2 LAK Kopitar (1) (Kovalchuk, Forbort)
P3 LAK Kempe (3) (Doughty, Leipsic)
P3 Cin Lee (2) (Bozak, Myers)
P3 LAK McQuaid (1) (Kopitar, Brown)

3Stars:
***LAK Kempe 1G, 1A, 3hits
**LAK Forbort 1G, 1A, 2hits
*LAK Kopitar 1G, 1A, 4hits

Stats:
Los Angeles-
Forbort 1G, 1A, 2pts, +3, 2hits
Kempe 1G, 1A, 2pts, +1, 3hits, 2/2 FO
Kopitar 1G, 1A, 2pts, +2, 4hits, 15/29 FO
Engelland 1A, 1pts, +3, 5hits
Carter 1G, 1pts, +1, 1hit, 9/19 FO
Lafallo 1A, 1pts, 1 hit, 10/20 FO
McQuaid 1G, 1pts
Doughty 1A, 1pts,4hits
Clifford 1A, 1pts, 2hits, 1/2 FO
Leipsic 1A, 1pts, +1, 2hits
Brown 1A, 1pts, +2, 2hits
Kovalchuk 1A, 1pts, +2, 0/2
Quick 16 SA, 15 saves, .938%, 2.49GAA
Campbell 19 SA, 18 saves, .947%, 1.67GAA
Cincinnati-
Lee 2G, 2pts, +1, 2hits, 2/3 FO
Giordano 1A, 1pts, -2, 1hits
Myers 1A, 1pts, 3hits
Bozak 1A, 1pts, +1, 4hits, 12/27 FO
Vanek 1A, 1pts, +1, 1hits
Mrazek 29 SA, 24 saves, .828%, 5.00GAA

Next:
Valtteri Filppula injured his leg and will be out for about a week. It appears that he will be out for the next three games. Cincinnati will host Colorado on Saturday.

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Cyclones (1-1-1) vs Avalanche (3-0-0):
October 19, 2019-
Preview:
Colorado is coming into this game undefeated being led by Mikko Rantanen with 4pts. Young star Cale Makar has 2pts through 3games. Colorado has Grubauer in net and he has a 94 save %. Mrazek will get the start for the Cyclones.

Recap:
Cin 2-5 Col
The Aves jumped to a 2-1 lead and didn't look back. A 3 goal 2nd period pushed the game too far out of reach. The Aves continue their undefeated roll as they are now 4-0-0. Cincinnati will have a quick turnaround as they play tomorrow night. Rookie McCollum scored his first 2 career goals for Colorado.

Score Summary:
P1 Cin Nyquist (2) (Duchene)
P1 Col Soderberg (2) (Jost)
P1 Col Compher (1) (Nieto, Bourque)
P2Col McCollum (1) (Kerfoot, Barrie)
P2 Col Soderberg (3) (Hathaway)
P2 Col McCollum (2) (Kerfoot, Barrie)
P3 Cin Kakko (2) (Giodano)

3 Stars:
***Col Grubauer 2.00GAA, 28saves, .933 save%
**Col Soderberg 2G, 1Hit
*Col McCollum 2G, 2Hits

Stats:
Colorado-
McCollum 2G, 2pts, +2, 2hits
Kerfoot 2A, 2pts, +2, 17/26FO
Barrie 2A, 2pts, +2, 2hits
Soderberg 2G, 2pts, +2, 1Hit
Hathaway 1A, 1pts, +2, 1/6FO
Jost 1A, 1pts, +2, 1/7FO
Bourque 1A, 1pts, -1
Nieto 1A, 1pts, -1, 2hits, 1/1FO
Compher 1G, 1pts, -1, 1hit, 7/17 FO
Grubauer 30SA, 28saves, .933save%, 2.00GAA
Cincinnati-
Kakko 1G, 1pts, +1
Giordano 1A, 1pts, -2, 3hits
Duchene 1A, 1pts, -3, 17/30FO
Nyquist 1G, 1pts, -3, 2hits
Mrazek 33SA, 28saves, .846save%, 5.00GAA

Next:
The Cyclones will travel to Carolina tomorrow night.