NFL, NBA, NHL stats



Fuel Explode for Season-High Seven Goals in 7-1 Romp over Wichita

December 12, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL) - Indy Fuel News Release

INDIANAPOLIS - For a second consecutive night on their home ice the Indy Fuel knocked off a first- place team as they routed the Mountain Division-leading Wichita Thunder Saturday night at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum, 7-1, on the annual "Teddy Bear Toss Night."

A pair of Fuel centers, Mike Neal and Cam Reid each fired two goals with Neal's first strike stoked early in the opening period at 2:51 to catapult the Fuel into a 1-0 lead which they never relinquished. Neal's goal triggered a cascade of stuffed animals and other such furry creatures as the Fuel fans did not have to wait long to unleash their furry friends.

Indy uncorked a 3-goals opening period assault which featured power play goals from Matt Rupert, the ultimate game winning goal, and Reid's first goal while the Fuel were enjoying a two-man advantage.

The second period decided the issue for the Fuel as they fused a season's best 4-goal powder keg with Nathan Noel, Johnny McInnis, Reid and Neal all making connection. Noel's second goal in as many nights chased starting goaltender and former Fuel puck-stopper Shane Owen who was making his debut in the Thunder cage.

Meanwhile, at the other end, first-year goalkeeper Matt Tomkins, for a second straight night, was magnificent, rebuffing 40 of 41-shots to post his second win in as many nights to elevate his overall record for the season to 3(3-0-0). For the weekend, Tomkins turned aside 88 of 91-shots to spearhead his club's two-games' sweep.

The Fuel were outshot by the Thunder, 41-25, though it did not prevent the Indy club from recording back-to-back victories for the second time this season and running their home win streak to a season's best 3-in a row. Indy has outscored its visitors during the latter skein, 13-4.

In addition to Neal and Reid scoring 2-goals, Noel was (1-1-2) while Nick Bligh and Ryan Rupert each assisted twice.

With the win, the Fuel upgrade their overall record to 20(7-10-3)17-points as they climb into a share of 6th place in the Western Conference Central Division standings with Quad City 21(8-12-1)17.

The Fuel will continue this hectic docket of 6-games in 9-nights on Tuesday night when they journey to Wheeling to collide with the Nailers in a 7:05 pm face-off with the broadcast on 1070thefan.com, beginning at 6:30. It's the first of 4-games in 5-nights for the resurgent Indy squad as they host Quad City Thursday night and Fort Wayne Saturday night, both games at 7:35 pm at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. In between, the Fuel have a date with the Komets in Fort Wayne on Friday night.

Single-Game tickets are now available for the entire 2017-18 Fuel season at Indiana Farmers Coliseum! Fans can also take advantage of a wide variety of Ticket Plans by calling 317-925-FUEL or visiting IndyFuelHockey.com. Don't miss a second of the action during the 2017-18 season - follow the Fuel on Twitter and Instagram (@IndyFuel) and Like' the Fuel on Facebook.

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

Check out the Indy Fuel Statistics

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from December 12, 2017


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Indy Fuel Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew