ECHL Indy Fuel

Cyclones Hang on for 3-1 Victory over Fuel

December 15, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Indy Fuel News Release


CINCINNATI - A solid finish was overshadowed by a sluggish start as the Indy Fuel (8-13-1-1) dropped the first game of a back-to-back road set against the Cincinnati Cyclones (10-10-4-0) Thursday night at U.S. Bank Arena. Despite staging a third-period rally, Indy could not overcome a 2-0 deficit in what became the club's seventh consecutive loss. Now winless in their last eight games (0-7-0-1), the Fuel wrap up a five game road swing Friday against the Cyclones before returning to Indiana Farmers Coliseum on Saturday night.

Cincinnati struck early in each of the first two periods, finding all the separation the club needed to break a three game winless skid of its own. Thursday's triumph brought the Cyclones back to even footing in the 2016-17 season series with the Fuel at two wins apiece. Andrew Yogan tallied a goal and an assist for Cincinnati while goaltender Michael Houser outdueled counterpart Eric Levine with a 27-save performance.

Yogan grabbed the Cyclones the lead just 3:20 into play on an end-to-end rush. Cincinnati's leading scorer drove down the right half wall, luring Levine out of position with a toe drag before tucking his 12th goal of the season inside the near post.

At the start of the second it was Yogan again who sparked the Cyclones' offense, this time in the set-up role. After protecting the puck behind the net from an Indy defender, Yogan slid a cross-crease feed to Justin Kirkland, who beat Levine for a 2-0 lead with his first goal of the year at 1:25.

A pair of second-period power plays helped the Fuel build some offensive pressure, but Houser kept the visitors on their heels with several timely stops. The netminder's best work came late in the middle frame, when he robbed Tristan King with a lunging skate save off of a one-timer. Houser added 12 more saves in the third period to grab his fifth victory of the season.

The only shot to elude Houser was a cannon off the stick of Alex Guptill, which brought Indy back to within one 4:26 into the third period. Entering the zone with speed, the forward unleased a slap shot that found its way to the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season, with assists going to Jonathan Carlsson and Matt Stanisz. Guptill's goal came in his Fuel debut, after joining the team earlier in the week via a trade from the Allen Americans.

Brandon McNally added an empty net goal for the Cyclones in the final minute, thwarting any hope for an Indy equalizer.

The contest remained close down the stretch thanks in large part to a stellar performance from Levine, who stopped 28 of 30 shots despite the loss. Levine backstopped his team's comeback bid with 14 saves in the third, including a pair of point blank saves on forward Dominic Zombo.

Both teams finished 0-for-2 on the power play.

Next Home Game: Saturday, December 17 vs. Quad City Mallards - 7:35 p.m. (Teddy Bear Toss) The fur is ready to fly again during one of the most exciting promotions of the season! Bring new and gently used stuffed animals to the game, then throw your plush projectiles onto the ice after the Fuel score their first goal! Each fuzzy friend collected will be donated to Toys For Tots in time to make the holidays brighter for Children around Central Indiana.

Single-game tickets are now available for the third season of Fuel hockey in Indianapolis at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum box office or at all Ticketmaster locations. Ticket Plans of all sizes are also available, from Full-Season Plans to six and three-game packages, in addition to Group Ticket options. Learn more by visiting IndyFuelHockey.com or calling 317-925-FUEL. Stay up to date throughout the offseason by following the Fuel on Twitter and Instagram (@IndyFuel) and don't forget to 'Like' the Fuel on Facebook.

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ECHL Stories from December 15, 2016


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