Fuel Winning Streak Comes to An End in Cincinnati
January 27, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Indy Fuel News Release
CINCINNATI - The Indy Fuel (21-21-2-0) fell behind early and could not recover in a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Cincinnati Cyclones (19-16-3-2) Wednesday night at U.S. Bank Arena. A 2-0 first-period deficit proved to be enough to bring an end to the Fuel's four game winning streak, and helped bring Cincinnati to within one point of Indy in the Midwest Division standings.
The Cyclones used a pair of first-period tallies from Brett Wysopal and Brandon Gracel to grab control of the divisional matchup, and goaltender Andy Iles turned aside 24 of 25 shots to hand the Fuel the loss in the club's first game away from Indiana Farmers Coliseum since January 10.
Wysopal opened the game's scoring when he capitalized on an Indy turnover 6:28 into the game. After an errant clearing attempt found his stick inside the right point, the defenseman drifted toward the middle and used heavy traffic in front to beat goaltender Shane Owen to the blocker.
Four and a half minutes later Gracel doubled the Cincinnati lead on an impressive individual effort. After receiving a pass from Tommy Mele in the neutral zone, Gracel split through a pair of Fuel defenseman and flicked a backhand shot off the crossbar and in at 10:59.
Jack Downing extended the home team's lead to 3-0 when he tallied his team-leading 19th goal of the season 6:20 into the third period. The forward fought his way to the front of the Indy net and got just enough of a Andrew Yogan centering pass to squeak the puck through Owen's legs.
The Fuel, pressuring for the better part of the final period, got on the board when Rhett Bly finished off a broken play in front of Iles. Dylan Clarke jarred loose a blocked Nick Mattson point shot, and Bly spun free from his defender to swat a shot inside the right post. The forward extended a goal-scoring streak to three games, and now has six points (3g, 3a) over his last five outings.
Iles's best work came in the waning moments of the game. The netminder made a flurry of tough stops after Bly's goal to keep the game at a two-goal deficit, including a sprawling glove save on Daniel Ciampini with Owen pulled in favor of the extra attacker. Owen finished with 23 saves on 26 shots, making his third consecutive start with creasemate Mac Carruth on recall with the AHL's Rockford IceHogs.
Neither team was successful on the power play; Indy went 0-for-2 and the Cyclones came up empty on three opportunities.
The Fuel continue an eight-game stretch against Midwest opponents when they return home for a Friday-Saturday doubleheader at Indiana Farmers Coliseum against the Evansville IceMen.
Next Home Game: Friday, January 29 vs. Evansville IceMen - 7:35 p.m. WARNING: Initial forecasts call for whiteout conditions inside Indiana Farmers Coliseum! Arrive early for an outdoor street festival featuring ice sculptors, food and beverage and other fun activities. All ticket holders in attendance will receive an Indy Fuel "Whiteout" T-shirt, courtesy of IBEW Local #481! It's also another Free App Friday, presented by South of Chicago Pizza and Beef ! If the Fuel win, you can present your game ticket at any of the three South of Chicago Pizza and Beef locations for a free appetizer.
Single-game tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster or at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum box office, while a variety of different ticket plans and group specials are available by calling (317) 925-FUEL or visiting IndyFuelHockey.com . Don't miss out on anything from the Fuel in 2015-16, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@IndyFuel ) and don't forget to 'Like' the Fuel on Facebook .
ECHL Stories from January 27, 2016
- Fuel Winning Streak Comes to An End in Cincinnati - Indy Fuel
- Slow Start Plagues IceMen in Wichita - Evansville IceMen
- Solar Bears Blanked 3-0 by Monarchs - Orlando Solar Bears
- Jackals Fall to Royals in Wild Wednesday Affair, 7-5 - Elmira Jackals
- Iles Shines as Cyclones Earn Second Straight - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Monarchs Freeze Solar Bears, 3-0 - Manchester Monarchs
- ECHL Transactions - January 27 - ECHL
- Moose Recall Harstad to Manitoba - Tulsa Oilers
- Fuel, IceMen to Wear Garfield and Odie Jerseys Saturday Night - Indy Fuel
- Americans Autograph Friday Features Postgame Skate with Players - Allen Americans
- Forward Mike Pereira Returned to Reading - Reading Royals
- The Force Awakens at Wings Event Center this Weekend - Kalamazoo Wings
- Schwartz Returns to Solar Bears After Loan to Marlies - Orlando Solar Bears
- Jackals Hold Court with Royals in Town - Elmira Jackals
- Game Day Capsule: Evansville at Wichita, January 27th - Wichita Thunder
- Jackals Receive Garbowsky and McPherson from Rochester - Elmira Jackals
- Game Notes - January 27 vs Indy - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Monarchs Game Day Capsule - Manchester Monarchs
- ECHL Today - January 27 - ECHL
- Josh Robinson Sets New ECHL Record in Mavericks Win over IceMen - Kansas City Mavericks
- Oilers Overcome Americans, 2-0 - Tulsa Oilers
- Oilers Blank Americans 2-0 - Allen Americans
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