Photo: Provided by the Cincinnati Cyclones
Fiona is coming to a Cincinnati Cyclones bobblehead near you.
There is no team named the Hippos in the ECHL or NHL, but the Cincinnati Cyclones soon will rectify that.
The Cyclones will become the Cincinnati Hippos for one night only when the team battles the Indy Fuel at Heritage Bank Center on March 4. The 'Clones are partnering with the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden for the team's alternate identity, which will be celebrated with a hippo jersey and a Fiona the hippo bobblehead, among other themed surprises.
"We are proud to partner with the Cincinnati Zoo on this night,” Cyclones director of marketing and public relations Sean Lynn said in a press release. “We have found these alternate identities to be a huge hit and the ability to partner with an iconic establishment such as the zoo is a home run. We’re looking forward to bringing the Hippos brand to life.”
The Cincinnati Zoo partnership continues the Cyclones' series of special one-game transformations. During the 2021-2022 season, the Cyclones became the Cincinnati Coneys to honor regional chili chain Skyline. Before that, the 'Clones paired up with Kings Island and the Flying Pig marathon.
According to illustrations shared by the team, the game jersey will be purple and white, with a subtle palm frond design filling the white area. There are turquoise accents at the neck and between the color blocks, and a large illustration of a purple hippo biting a hockey stick adorns the front. Logos for the Cyclones and the zoo are on the shoulders. Cyclones graphic designer Matt Scheer designed the jersey, the team said in a release.
The bobblehead of Fiona, Cincinnati's most famous hippo, is equally adorable. According to a photo provided by the team, Fiona is sitting on all four legs, with her eyes wide and her mouth open and smiling. She's clad in a traditional black, red and white Cyclones jersey. Scroll down for images of the hippo jersey and the Fiona bobblehead.
“It will be a fun night, and I look forward to dropping the puck,” said Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard. “I hope it brings the team good luck.”
Fans can purchase a $124 family four-pack of tickets, which includes four Fiona bobbleheads and four Skyline chili coney vouchers. $5 from each four-pack will be donated to the Zoo, the Cyclones said. The special ticket package is available here.
Before the game, fans can get friendly with animals from the zoo on the arena concourse, a separate release from the zoo said.
As of Feb. 8, the Cincinnati Cyclones are 24-12-5-2 record for the 2022-2023 season. The team will hit the road to take on the Savannah Ghost Pirates on Feb. 10.
Scroll down to see the special jersey and bobblehead.
Photo: Provided by the Cincinnati Cyclones
The Cincinnati Cyclones will wear a special hippo jersey during a game on March 4, 2023.
Photo: Provided by the Cincinnati Cyclones
Cincinnati Cyclones designer Matt Scheer designed the team's special jersey for the game on March 4, 2023.
Photo: Provided by the Cincinnati Cyclones
A bobblehead of Fiona, the famous hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo, will be given away with certain tickets to the Cincinnati Cyclones' game on March 4, 2023.
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