Photo: Allison Babka
Will a Fiona statue be placed near Heritage Bank Center when the Cincinnati Cyclones become the Cincinnati Hippos on March 4, 2023?
Cincinnati is obsessed with Fiona, the famous hippopotamus at the Cincinnati Zoo. Fiona chocolate. Fiona artwork. Fiona's new little brother. CityBeat readers even choose Fiona over Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow for the title of "Best Cincinnatian."
So it comes as no surprise that the Cincinnati Cyclones will be getting in on the hippo action during the upcoming season.
The Cyclones released its 2022-2023 home promotions schedule Aug. 16, and it's packed with the traditional cheap beer, jersey nights and bobblehead giveaways. But March 4 is the game animal lovers will want to mark on their calendars, because the Cincinnati Cyclones will become the Cincinnati Hippos for one game only.
That night, the 'Clones... er, the Hippos... will partner with the Cincinnati Zoo for a game against the Indy Fuel. Players will wear Cincinnati Hippos specialty jerseys, and the night at Heritage Bank Arena is sure to bring other hippo-themed surprises.
The Cyclones have transformed into one-night-only teams before. During the 2021-2022 season, the Cyclones became the Cincinnati Coneys to honor regional chili chain Skyline. The team posted photos to its social media accounts of head coach Jason Payne holding a big three-way and a bobblehead of himself doing the same.
For the upcoming season, the team also is bringing back one of Cincinnati's cheapest ways to imbibe, beginning with the home opener on Oct. 29. The Cyclones will take on the Iowa Heartlanders at Heritage Bank Center, and the game will feature $2 beer, hot dogs and soda (Yes, the promotion has increased from the $1 concessions offered in previous seasons). The first 5,000 fans also will receive a team calendar.
Can't make the home opener? There will be other chances to score cheap alcohol, including at least 12 other $2 beer nights and several $2 concession games.
If you'd rather have entertainment and keepsakes instead of filling your belly, the Cyclones can cover that, too. Throughout the season, fans can load up on Puckchop snow globes, t-shirts, ice cream bowls, bobbleheads, pillows and more. There also will be games with indoor fireworks, dog-friendly activities, Marvel and DC comics characters and more. Tickets for all games are on sale on the Cyclones' website.
The Cyclones will enter 2022-2023 after a valiant run at the Kelly Cup. On May 3, the 'Clones entered the final game of the ECHL semi-finals for the Central division tied 3-3 with the Toledo Walleye, each looking to take the best-of-seven series. Ultimately, though, the 'Clones fell to the Walleye 4-2, ending Cincinnati's hopes for the Cup. Before that, It had been three years since Cincinnati last saw Kelly Cup playoff action. The 'Clones have been crowned Kelly Cup champs twice in their history.
The team finished the 2021-2022 regular season on April 16 with a 36-32-3-1 record.
The Cyclones will kick off the new season by visiting the Fort Wayne Comets on Oct. 22.
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