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 Indy Fuel

INDY FUEL PIT STOP Weekly - WEEK 19

February 20, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
Indy Fuel News Release


(By Terry Ficorelli) THE FUEL END THREE-GAME SOUTHERN ROAD TRIP WITH CONVINCING WIN IN TULSA

INDY RETURNS HOME FRIDAY NIGHT TO REKINDLE ARCHRIVALRY VS. FORT WAYNE

THREE GAMES IN THREE DAYS THIS WEEKEND; THE FUEL IN CINCINNATI AND TOLEDO SAT. AND SUNDAY

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS: 3(1-2-0) 8-11

WED. FEB. 15 FUEL 2 AT ALLEN 3

FRI. FEB. 17 FUEL 0 AT ALLEN 6

SAT. FEB. 18 FUEL 6 AT TULSA 2

THIS WEEK'S GAMES: (3)

FRI. FEB. 24 FORT WAYNE AT FUEL 7:35 PM

SAT. FEB. 25 FUEL AT CINCINNATI 7:30 PM

SUN. FEB. 26 FUEL AT TOLEDO 5:15 PM

NEXT HOME GAME: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH VS. FORT WAYNE KOMETS 7:35 PM

"THE GIVING GAME" PRESENTED BY COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK

*** ALL INDY FUEL GAMES HOME AND AWAY ARE BROADCAST LIVE ON INDIANAPOLIS' CBS SPORTS 1430 ***

THE FUEL REVIEW: The past weekend the Indy Fuel completed a rigorous three-games' Southern foreign ice junket with a 3(1-2-0) record, climaxed Saturday night by an impressive and emphatic 6-2 conquest in Tulsa against their Central Division rivals, the Oilers. With 52-games down and still 20-more games remaining on their 2016-17 ECHL regular season docket, the Fuel have compiled an overall season record 52(15-33-4) totaling 34-points. Their Saturday night success attained in Tulsa halted the Fuel's second longest winless spell of the current campaign of 9(0-8-1) as they laid claim to their first triumph since back on January 27th when they throttled Rapid City in Indianapolis, 2-0. The triumph in Tulsa also halted Indy's 6-games' winless stretch abroad; 6(0-5-1), posting its first victory on foreign ice since back on January 10th when the Fuel silenced the Thunder in Wichita, 1-0. Through the initial 16-games of the second half of their 72-games' schedule, the Fuel have assembled a mark of 16(4-11-1) while their first half of the season mark was 36(11-22-3).

THE GIVING GAME: After nearly a two-weeks' absence, the Fuel return to the friendly climes and environs of home ice and the Indiana Farmers Coliseum this Friday night when they rekindle animosities with their principal archenemies, the Fort Wayne Komets. Friday night has been designated "THE GIVING GAME" PRESENTED BY COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK. The Fuel will be joining forces with Community Health Network to raise money for cancer patients in conjunction with Community's annual "The Giving Gig." The Fuel will be wearing special jerseys selected by local cancer patients and caregivers, which will be auctioned off immediately following the game, with all net proceeds benefitting the Community Health Network Foundation.

Head Coach Bernie John's aggregation nation will be in quest with zest for its initial, breakthrough triumph against their State of Indiana compatriots as the men of Fuel hockey are 5(0-4-1) against the Fort Wayners. This is the first of 4-consecutive Fort Wayne appearances in Indianapolis as the 4-games in season series between these two squads for the Indiana hockey brag flag in Fort Wayne has been concluded for this season. Indy will be looking to truncate a 4-game losing skein at home.

THE WRAP ON THE WEEK: Embarking on an ambitious alien ice itinerary consisting of 3-away from home bay battles in 4-nights in ECHL Southern territory, the men of the Fuel, once again, acquitted themselves admirably and nobly, posting a 3(1-2-0) composite log. Launching their traveling road show Wednesday in Allen for the opening game of a two-games' series against the 4-time reigning coronated kingpins, the Americans, the Fuel were gallant and galvanized despite incurring a slight 3-2 setback. Falling in arrears 3-0 by the opening minute of the third frame of the game, Indy was undaunted and untrammeled, rallying with a pair of late third period stoked strikes in an ultimate, 3-2 Allen win. Matt Rupert (13) and Nick Bligh (6) delivered the goaling goods 3:29 apart before the final verdict was officially rendered.

In the encore engagement on Friday evening, the two-time reigning ECHL kings dispensed with Indy to the tune of a 6-0 final outcome. It marked the third time in which the Fuel have been zeroed and the second time on the road. The 6-goal differential also matched Indy's most sizable setback of the season.

The following night in Tulsa, it was a more focused committed and conscientious club under Coach John's tutelage as the Fuel played as if a team possessed and obsessed in a convincing 6-2 conquest. Featuring the essence of balance offensively, Indy's 6-goal assault was authored by 6-different sharpshooters. Kenny Ryan (1-2-3) ENG, Nick Bligh (1-1-2)FG/PPG, Mike Neal (1-1-2), Matt Rupert (14), Josh Shalla (PPG) and Raphael Corriveau each kinetically connected with Alex Wideman earning 2-assists. Eric Levine was outstanding in goal, making a season-high 52-saves.

KEYSTONE BAR & GRILL SAMPLING: Visit the Keystone Bar & Grill booth Friday in the Indiana Farmers Coliseum concourse and sample some of their delicious mac & cheese! While you are there, grab a coupon to save $1.00 on any variety of Keystone Bar & Grill's signature mac and cheese from participating Kroger locations.

ROAD WATCH PARTY AT SQUEALERS: The next Fuel road watch party takes place on Sunday, Feb. 26 as the Fuel head to Toledo to take on the Walleye. Join fellow fans at Squealers Barbecue Grill in Castleton to enjoy some great food and drink and to catch all of the action! Grab $1.50 domestic drafts and $3.00 select Sun King varieties as you cheer the team to victory!

FULL SEASON TICKETS FOR 2017-18: Fuel Full Season Ticket Plans for the 2017-18 Indy Fuel ECHL hockey season are now on sale! Purchase or renew your plan by February 28th and you will receive your seat for the 2018 ECHL All-Star Classic absolutely FREE! Visit IndyFuelHockey.com for more information and join our Indy Fuel team today.

QUICK STICK NICK: Recently obtained first-year pro center Nick Bligh has emerged as a most pleasant surprise for the Indy aggregation nation. The Dartmouth College "Big Green" standout authored 3-points in 3-games on the week's past road trek; 3(2-1-3). Both of Bligh's blazing blasts were key, touch-in-the-clutch PPG with the latter one setting the tone as the game's FG in Saturday night's 6-2 dismissal of the Tulsans. Bligh, who also delivered a single goal as a member of the Adirondack Thunder in last month's annual ECHL All-Star Classic carded 4-SOG and +1 rating for the week. In his last 5, he is 5(4-1-5) with his 4-goals gunned in his team's last 4-road games. Bligh is the Fuel's nomination for Sher-Wood/ECHL Player of the Week.

DIVINE IS LEVINE: Fourth year goaltender Eric Levine enjoyed his most masterful masterpiece of the campaign Saturday night in Tulsa. The Robert Morris U., product was paramount in his team's titanic topping of Tulsa with a magnificent 52-saves effort. Named the game's #2 Star, the 6-3 human puck detour dazzled in the opening period of the same game, repelling all 19 Oilers' shots. Rendering asunder a personal 11-games' losing streak in grand style and grand fashion, Levine is the Fuel's nomination for CCM/ECHL Goaltender of the Week.

THE REAL NEAL DEAL: Veteran center/left wing Mike Neal, another of the Fuel's recent, major acquisitions has been especially assertive since his arrival onto the Indy hockey scene. Secured by the Fuel organization following a stint in Germany earlier this season, the big, rugged forward has flashed his wares in recent activity. In Saturday night's 6-2 dousing of Tulsa, the younger brother of former Dallas and Pittsburgh, and current Nashville Predators' left wing James Neal, collected a pair of points including his first Fuel goal which torched his team's 3-goal third period torrent.

STAR-STUDDED STREAKS: The Fuel's offensive ammo arsenal has been prominent and pre-eminent in recent action. Tyler Barnes last 8(3-4-7); Alex Wideman last 7(3-3-6); Nick Bligh last 5(4-1-5); Matt Rupert last 4 (4-0-4); Kenny Ryan last 5(1-3-4).

THE FUEL-MEN MARKSMEN: 1- Josh Shalla (23-20-43); 2- Alex Wideman (17-26-43); 3- Kevin Lynch (11-13-24);4- Paul Zanette (10-12-22); 5- Matt Rupert (14-7-21); 6- Kenny Ryan (7-10-17); 7- Tyler Barnes (4-10-14); 8- Nick Bligh (7-5-12); 9- Bryn Chyzyk (5-7-12); 10- Nick Mattson (1-11-12); 11- Zack Miskovic (1-10-11); 12- Brandon Martell (0-11-11).

POWER PLAY PROLIFIC: The Fuel power plant power play has been percolating and fructifying in the latest game action. When they uncorked a pair of extra man strikes in the Saturday night, 6-2 triumph at Tulsa over the Oilers, the Fuel extra man band engineered two power play goals in one game for the third time thus far this season. The power play is enjoying its best stretch of the season. It is 3 for the last 10; 30% proficiency; 4 for the last 13; 30.8% and 7 for the last 24 for a rating of 29.2%.

NUMEROLOGY ANTHOLOGY: In the Fuel's 6-2 decision over Tulsa Saturday night, Josh Shalla's PPG represented his 100th pro goal, produced in his 5th professional campaign. Defenseman Travis Armstrong (99) will play his 100th pro game on home ice Friday night when the Fuel play host to arch-rival Fort Wayne. Defenseman and team captain Zach Miskovic (394) is 6-games shy of pro career 400. In Saturday night's 6-2 triumph over Tulsa, Miskovic accrued 15-PIM to catapult over 300-PIM in his pro career. This past weekend, defenseman Adam Phillips played his 150th pro game.

FUEL FACTS: Indy's 6-GF output in its Saturday night victory at Tulsa marked the sixth time thus far this season that the club has equaled its best single game scoring production. They are 6(4-1-1) in that department. Their 3-goal third period outburst in the same game in the third frame matched their best single stanza scoring scourge of the season. Goaltender Jake Hildebrand continues to pace the circuit in saves made with 1,083. Hildebrand's 4-shutouts are a Fuel club record and rank as tied for second most in the loop. When scoring 3-GF or more in one game, the Fuel are 23(11-9-3). The Fuel are 9(6-2-1) when they gain the lead after the first period. They are 15(11-3-1) when leading entering the third stanza. Goaltender Eric Levine's victory Saturday night was only his second of the season in 18-decisions. Indy is 8(1-6-1) in February with 6 of those 8-dates being played on the road. Josh Shalla and Matt Rupert share the team leadership in PPG with 4. Indy's best period this season has been the second on home ice, outscoring the opposition, 27-26.

FUEL TUBE TIME: All season long, all Indy Fuel Friday and Saturday night home games are televised live in simulcast form. WTHR-TV 13 (NBC) / COZI-TV will present all of the action with the Fuel's exclusive radio flagship home of CBS SPORTS 1430. Terry Ficorelli will have the play-by-play call with Bob Kravitz and Talor Whitaker alongside.

THE DAILY FUEL FILL-UP: All Fuel hockey fans can stay up to date every day even when there is not a game. It's "The Fuel Fix From Fic," Monday through Friday afternoon during the Kent Sterling Show from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm on the exclusive radio flagship home pf the Indy Fuel CBS SPORTS 1430.

TICKET INFORMATION: Indy Fuel tickets for all home games are available at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum Box Office, all Ticketmaster or on line at indyfuelhockey.com. Call us by phone as well at (317) 925-FUEL.

SOUTH OF CHICAGO: Fill your tank at South of Chicago and Fuel your Fridays in the process! Enjoy the lunch buffet at any of the three South of Chicago Pizza & Beef locations and pick up a coupon for $3 off any ticket to a Friday Fuel home game. Must redeem coupon at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum box office, limit one coupon per ticket. For more information, visit nobspizza.com .

Brent Hollerud Director of Marketing Indiana Hockey Club, LLC 1202 East 38th Street Indianapolis, IN 46205 Direct (317) 608-2689 www.indyfuelhockey.com


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