Cyclones begin to win in November

CINCINNATI , OHIO – The Cincy squad has started the process of rectifying an abysmal season start and has begun to even up the record. The Cyclones have seen the return to the Queen city of fan favorite and last years playoff scoring leader Dustin Sproat.
 
Sproat had been in England playing for the Nottingham Panthers of the EPL since summer. His pictures of Nottingham and the area were interesting to see on his Facebook page, but apparently his longing for Cincinnati and his “Hockey Players for Kids” charity brought him home earlier than expected.
 
He was having some difficulty managing the charity from abroad, which has been a major project for Sproat since its inception. This is a change that the Cyclones faithful welcomed with open arms.
 
Another change has been the grumbling among the fans over the changes, since summer, of almost the total face of the team in the coaching staff and broadcasting. As I wrote earlier in November these changes need time to develop and grow. There has been some dissatisfaction anyway. Primarily the lack of instant wins out of the gate has been a major sore spot with some of the fan base here.
 
Those reasonable enough to listen are reminded that last season the club didn’t catch fire until December and there were bumps in the road to the championship after that time. Early goaltending has been shaky, as new net minders Marc Cheverie and Chet Pickard have been experiencing growing pains, as they adjust to the ECHL game. Both are getting used to the new situation and speed of the game as time rolls by and Cheverie has several shutout performances to his credit as this is written.
 
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Cyclones Media Director and newest broadcaster Nick Brunker recently to discuss his end of the changes. Nick is a Cincinnati native who grew up following the early Cyclones at the old Gardens barn as well as playing the game through his high school years. He is a veteran broadcaster with experiences calling the Miami Redhawks CCHA games, as well as the former voice of the ECHL Toledo Storm.
 
Over the years the great and not so memorable broadcasters have come to be a part of team history. The main thing for fans to remember is that these men have taken time to grow to be loved and anxiously listened to on the air. Each has had a unique style of delivery and sometimes memorable verbiage; remember Ficorrelli and needing to publish a “ Fictionary” to understand the spinarama and forearm facial?
 
The significant changes brought on by the front office during the off season have begun to gel and take a good shape as things settle into place. As we approach Thanksgiving and look forward to the holiday season the North division remains a tough, gritty place to play hockey.
 
Recently the Cyclones hosted the annual Education In Hockey Day game where thousands of area school children are treated to a morning tilt at US Bank Arena.
The ‘Clones battled the division leading Kalamazoo Wings to a 2-2 regulation tie only to ultimately lose the contest in overtime. A good time was had by all, as this has become a promotional staple on the schedule. In between periods, the kids are given lessons in geography, science, meteorology by Cyclones players and local broadcasters on the video board.
 
All in all, the positive side of change has been a relevant success for the Cyclones as the young season progresses forward. The nature of things is to prepare players, coaches, and staff to make a successful jump to the next level and ultimately to the big show in the NHL. Keeping this in mind doesn’t diminish the fact that we miss our favorite folks as they move on. But it gives us the joy of seeing them move on to bigger and better opportunities as they advance their careers.
 
Contact the author/photographer at Rob.Huelsman@prohockeynews.com