The Cyclones, in their second year as the Sabres' ECHL affiliate, are 9-2-0 in their past 11 games and have outscored the opposition 49-23 over that stretch. They're currently second in the league with 24 points (11-3-2).

Take a look at the NHL standings today and you'll see the Buffalo Sabres near the top of the list. You'll also see their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, in first place in the North Division. And in the ECHL, the Cincinnati Cyclones sit atop the Western Conference.

"We've had a lot of buy in from our players and as a result, we're finding ways to win games that are tied going into the third period and we've come back in games," Cincinnati head coach Matt Thomas said. "We're winning in a lot of different ways which is a good mark for a team early in the season. You're learning a lot of quality lessons when that happens."

Sound familiar, Sabres fans?

Buffalo general manager Jason Botterill and his assistants Randy Sexton and Steve Greeley have made a concerted effort to improve the organization at all levels, and that includes providing support to the Sabres' affiliates.

"Now, we're doing terrific and we want to do better. That's the thing, we don't want to stop. Every guy is pushing each other every day," forward Vasily Glotov said. "Nobody just sits back and says, 'You know what? We're in a good spot.' We're not. We want to be better. We want to be the best team absolutely.

"…It's so unreal. Every day, I'm going to the rink and I love it. I enjoy it because we want to win every game and we are winning."

Thomas, in his first season behind the Cyclones bench, said the communication between the teams is strong. He's even exchanged fun text messages with Phil Housley about the seven-game winning streak the Sabres are on.

"It's top notch. The amount of communication and the amount of daily interaction between every organization is something that I've never experienced at this level," he said.

"…The one thing you see right away when you're part of the organization is there is a plan and there's a process to how everything's expected to be done. When you get to see that firsthand through rookie camp and going into the season, you see how everyone's operating.

"And when every organization in the affiliation is doing the same things and doing the same type of development, systematic play, there's a lot of similarities that are going on and that groundwork was laid early in the season."

Glotov expressed his appreciation for Sexton and the development coaches for coming out to Cincinnati and providing feedback. He believes their support has had a very positive impact on the team.

"Buffalo has been doing a great job and obviously we're watching all the highlights and full games when we have time, same for Rochester. It inspires you to play the same way," he said. "You know you want to win. Building a winning culture - I've been hearing that since July at development camp - because managers from Buffalo, Rochester and Cincinnati, all of them want to win. So do I."

Tweet from @CincyCyclones: HIGHLIGHTS: WHAT A WIN! Start your #Thanksgiving off right with all the action from last night's big #CincyCyclones win over @KalamazooWings ! pic.twitter.com/JfqAGSIolE

Leading the Cyclones offense in points are veteran Brady Vail (7+8) and Alex Wideman (4+11), who have 15 points each. Goaltender Jonas Johansson (2014, third round) was named the ECHL Goaltender of the Week on Tuesday after going 2-0-0 with one shutout, a 0.50 goals-against average and a .981 save percentage in two appearances last week.

And tied for third in team scoring is Glotov, the 2016 seventh-round pick, who is in his first full year as a pro. The 21-year old signed an AHL contract with Rochester over the summer and has been thriving with the Cyclones. In 16 games, he has four goals and 10 assists.

He's out to prove every night that he's worthy of the ice time the Cyclones coaching staff has given him. He lauded the way Thomas has managed the group, and also had high praise for the extra work assistant coach Jason Payne has put in with the players.

"To be honest, when I started the season, I just wanted to play the best hockey I can. Being able to be noticed every time I'm on the ice," Glotov said. "It's not really about the points, it's about the plays. Whether it's a goal or an assist, I don't really mind, and I'll take it.

"…I try to make it simple and I want to win as a team. That's basically it. Points will come eventually when you're doing the right things. I just want to keep doing this."

Glotov's enthusiasm and positivity can be infectious, and it's already rubbing off on his teammates.

"I'll tell you what, the one thing the guys talk about is that he loves the game. He loves hockey. He's one of those guys that it's his life," Thomas said. "There is not a percentage of him that isn't all in on developing his game and becoming a better player. When you have that type of an attitude and a daily commitment to it, you see other guys gravitating toward him.

"He's been a leader as a young first-year pro and that's rare. It's a lot of fun as a coach to be able to see a guy have that type of an impact."

He's been learning from the veterans on the team, and Thomas mentioned that the way in which the mix of veterans and young prospects have interacted has been a big part of the team's success.

"A lot of it has to do with our team believing in each other," Thomas said. "I think there's a real chemistry between those two groups in terms of playing mentor roles and being the young energetic guys that are eager to learn."

Glotov has been working on developing into a more well-rounded player and that it's already been paying off. On a nightly basis, the coaching staff doesn't hesitate to put him on the ice in a match-up role against the other team's top lines to keep them off the board.

The production has also been there offensively as he's been able to use his skill and speed to draw defenders to him and set up his teammates for tap-in goals.

"He's a guy that people should be excited about in the organization," Thomas said. "If there's a guy that I'd put money on to continue to develop and take big steps, he's certainly a guy that fits the mold."



Stats

Skater Position Team (League) GP G A PTS Christopher Brown F Boston College (NCAA) 9 1 3 4 Jacob Bryson D Providence (NCAA) 11 3 8 11 Ivan Chukarov D Massachusetts (NCAA) 9 0 1 1 Marcus Davidsson F Djuragardens (SHL) 19 1 10 11 Casey Fitzgerald D Boston College (NCAA) 9 0 2 2 Vasily Glotov F Cincinnati (ECHL) 16 4 10 14 Miska Kukkonen D Tappara U20 (Mestis) 18 1 4 5 Oskari Laaksonen D Ilves (Liiga) 22 3 10 13 Linus Lindstrand Cronholm D IK Pantern (Allsvenskan) 13 1 3 4 Brett Murray F Youngstown (USHL) 16 6 10 16 Philip Nyberg D UConn (NCAA) 12 0 0 0 Matej Pekar F Barrie (OHL) 23 10 17 27 Mattias Samuelsson D Western Michigan (NCAA) 12 3 2 5 Linus Weissbach F Wisconsin (NCAA) 6 2 6 8 Maxwell Willman F Boston University (NCAA) 9 0 0 0 William Worge Kreu D Linkoping J20 (SuperElit) 7 0 0 0