ECHL Indy Fuel

Fuel Hang Tough in 5-3 Loss to Allen

Published on March 12, 2017 under ECHL (ECHL)
Indy Fuel News Release


INDIANAPOLIS - Continuing to show immeasurable improvement in recent action, the Indy Fuel fought to the bitter end Sunday before the two-time reigning Kelly Cup Champions Allen Americans finally prevailed, 5-3.

The Allen power play told the tale of the tape early in the contest as Gregor Hanson and David Makowski propelled extra man strikes on the Americans initial two power play advantages of the game as the visitors surged into a 3-0 lead by the seventh minute of the middle frame.

Undaunted, the Fuel fought back by scoring 3 of the game's next 5-goals. Matt Rupert (15) breathed life into the Fuel attack in the second period to narrow the deficit to 3-1. Indy dominated the action with a season's best 20 shots on goal.

However, the Allen club recaptured its 3-goal grip in the third period when Wade MacLeod connected. Trailing 4-1 at that juncture, the Fuel roared right back, stinging the league kingpins with a pair of Mike Neal shorthanded goals at 9:49 and, again, at 16:01. Allen cemented the verdict when Hanson found the empty net with his second goal of the game at the 18:48 mark.

Neal was instrumental on all 3-Fuel goals, having collected the primary assist on the Rupert thrust in period two. Indy outshot Allen, 44-38 with the 44-SOG being the second most amassed by the Fuel in one game this season. It marked only the 12th time this season that Indy has outshot its opposition.

Jake Hildebrand was saddled with the setback in goal for the Fuel while the league's #1 ranked goalkeeper Riley Gill posted the victory. Indy completed its 6-games' season series with Allen, compiling a 6(0-5-1) record; 2(0-1-1) at home. The Fuel cap their 3-games home stand in as many days this weekend with a 3(1-1-1) record as they begin the new week locked in a tie for 6th place in the Western Conference Central Division standings with Wichita.

The Fuel are back in action next weekend with another 3-games in 3-days docket, including a home-and-home series against division rival Kalamazoo. The Fuel will be in Kalamazoo on Friday night before returning home for a Saturday night encore engagement with the Wings at Indiana Farmers Coliseum at 7:35 pm. Another divisional foe, Quad City comes to Indy next Sunday for a 3:05 matinee against the Fuel.

Next Home Game: Saturday, March 18 vs. Kalamazoo - 7:35 p.m. (Pink in the Rink): The Fuel swap out their red and black for pink during their third-annual breast cancer awareness game, benefitting the Pink Ribbon Connection, Susan G. Komen of Central Indiana and the I.W.I.N. Foundation. Indy's game-worn pink sweaters will be auctioned off at the end of the night, with all net proceeds going toward participating charities.

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 March 12, 2017


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