CINCINNATI , Ohio – The defending Kelly Cup Champions raised their banner to the rafters on October 30, at their home opener, for the 2010-11 season. Thus far, the record is dismal, with only one in the win column for the Cyclones. With a few returning veterans of last season’s campaign on the roster and new net minders, the squad has not yet learned to play together. This is no surprise with an all new coaching staff and a new affiliation in place with the Florida Panthers. Head Coach Jarrod Skalde and Assistant Coach Scott Fankhouser are new to the ECHL as well and this tandem has the daunting task of following Chuck Weber and Dean Stork having won two championships in three years. The fans of course are a little disappointed in the record so far, but must remember that last year the team did not catch fire until around December. That being said, it is worth noting the difficulty of installing an entirely new system, staff and squad to expect winning straight out of the gate. The home opener was proof that it will take time for the squad to gel and begin sending crisp passes to each other up the rink. The goaltending situation is much the same as new blood gets used to the speed and tempo of the ECHL game are going to take some time to get used to. Of a matter of course, there have already been call-ups to the AHL of the most experienced players such as Captain Barett Ehgoetz, Scott Reynolds, and Jeremy Smith; Cup winning players who function well in leadership roles for the new members of the ‘Clones. While it is good for these players to get noticed at the next level and rewarded for their dedication and work ethic, it can wreak havoc on the home team’s efforts to learn play together. Much can be said for the perseverance of those remaining at the ECHL level, as the team struggles to pull itself together and win a few contests this early in the season. The North Division is a tough, gritty place with opponents more than willing to pound on a struggling rival. The Cyclones’ fan base is generally solid and the team competes well with the likes of high school, College and NFL franchises occupying the landscape here in the area. With promotions such as dollar pizza and hotdog nights, big beer Tuesdays, wet Wednesdays and the like, the team has managed to increase attendance each of the past few years. Ticket prices remain reasonable and competitive for families and college students compared to other venues in the region. At the moment there is no reason to panic over the won/loss record as the team has so many factors to indicate it will be successful again as in the past. New coaching always takes a while to begin to establish itself in a league and affiliation. The Cyclones have a bright future as they begin this new era. Contact Rob.Huelsman@prohockeynews.com
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