Friday, October 01, 1999
Cyclones aim for history
BY JOHN P. WISE
Enquirer contributor
The Cincinnati Cyclones have come close a couple times to winning the Eastern Conference of the International Hockey League. Now in their 10th year, they're not just talking about winning the Eastern Conference. They want the cigar.
“We've had 90 points and 40 wins six years in a row,” coach/general manager Ron Smith said. “That's well above average. But we haven't taken the next step and that's to win it all.”
This year the Cyclones look to become the league's first team to win 40 games and record 90 points seven straight seasons.
With its first line intact for the third year in a row, and a new, full-time affiliation with the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, the Cyclones certainly don't lack personnel.
That first line consists of wings Gilbert Dionne (88 points, 4th in IHL last year) and Todd Hawkins, and center Todd Simon (87, 5th).
“We expect big things from ourselves,” Simon said of the prolific first line. “We push each other pretty hard, and we believe our role is to put the puck in the net.”
Added Smith: “Those guys are pretty dangerous together. Every team we played last year certainly made special plans against them, but they still prospered.”
The Cyclones previously had a partial affiliation with Florida of the NHL. With the new, full affiliation with Carolina, Cincinnati will simply have more players available.
“That will obviously help us in some areas,” Smith said. “The injection of some youthful prospects makes us a little optimistic.”
Smith said his defensive unit was solid a year ago, but injuries and trades can quickly change things around. That shouldn't be a problem with a bigger pool of Carolina talent from which to pull players.
“We feel like our defense is already improved,” Smith said.
This unit will be anchored by 1998 All-Star Pat MacLeod, who returns from a knee injury that sidelined him most of last year. He'll be joined by veteran Steve Bancroft, who comes from AHL Calder Cup Champion Providence. And Cyclones fans will quickly learn about Niklos Tselios, 20, a cousin of NHL star Chris Chelios.
IHL Q & A
Q. Who are the top teams in the league this year?
A. Orlando and Chicago could meet in the Turner Cup Finals. Orlando visits Cincinnati four times, while Chicago plays here twice.
Q. Who are the top players?
A. Center Brian Wiseman (Houston) and left wing Steve Maltaiss (Chicago) are among the best offensive players. Maltaiss led the league with 56 goals last year.
Q. Who do you want to stay away from?
A. Michigan left wing Mel Angelstad recorded 421 penalty minutes last year; Long Beach right wing Claude Jutras had 408.
Q. How have the Cyclones improved their post-season chances?
A. At the end of last season the team's biggest concern was its defense. Additions of MacLeod, Bancroft and 1998 IHL All-Star Len Esau have shored up the unit.
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