Hildebrand Holds Strong as Fuel Shut Down Aces
November 13, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Indy Fuel News Release
HILDEBRAND HOLDS STRONG AS FUEL SHUT DOWN ACES Jake Hildebrand's 37-save shutout helps Indy to 2-0 win in Alaska, Fuel take four of six points from trip
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - Rookie goaltender Jake Hildebrand made 37 saves for his first professional shutout as the Indy Fuel (4-6-1-0) blanked the Alaska Aces (6-3-0-1) 2-0 Saturday night in the final game of a tripleheader at Sullivan Arena. The Fuel head back to the lower 48 states with a winning streak in tow, taking the latter two contests from the hometown Aces and earning four of the six possible points from their trip up north.
Anthony Beauregard and Matt Rupert scored for the Fuel, and Hildebrand picked up his second consecutive win with a superb performance - highlighted by a 15-save third period. Alaska found their best chances down the stretch, but timely saves by the 23-year-old netminder and a determined team effort by the Indy defense made the difference, despite being outshot 37-31.
The Aces' potent scoring attack was limited to two goals during the pair of Fuel victories - a sharp decline from the 19 total goals they scored during a four-game winning streak that ended Friday.
After the third scoreless first period of the week, Indy struck first at the midway point of the second with Beauregard's third goal of the season and second of the weekend. Marek Tvrdon cycled the puck to the rookie forward behind the net, who fooled goaltender Michael Garteig with a wrap-around to the short side post at 9:45 of the middle frame. Beauregard's eventual game-winning marker came the night after he tallied the deciding goal in the Fuel's 3-2 shootout win.
Indy spent most of the third period defending, but was able to double its lead late when Rupert grabbed his first of the season on a strong individual effort. Tyler Currier gained the Alaska zone with speed, held up and found Rupert trailing close behind, whose initial shot handcuffed Garteig. Rupert out-muscled a defenseman to the rebound and slid it through the goaltender's legs to give Indy a two-goal cushion at 15:21 of the third.
Garteig stopped 29 of 31 Fuel shots, suffering his first loss of the season after starting the season 5-0-0-0.
Only one minor penalty was called in the contest, with the Aces coming up empty on the lone power play.
Indy now will settle in for one of their longer homestands of the 2016-17 season, with seven of their next eight games taking place at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, beginning on Nov. 18 against the Wheeling Nailers. The Fuel's first three-in-three weekend of the season concludes with two games against the Atlanta Gladiators on Nov. 19-20.
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