Iacopelli Leads Fuel Past Mallards

Published on February 24, 2018 under ECHL (ECHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Matt Iacopelli broke loose for a hat trick to lead the host Indy Fuel (27-24-3) past the Quad City Mallards (19-31-4) 6-4 Saturday night. The victory was Indy's third over the Mallards in as many nights .

After the opening period finished scoreless the action shifted into overdrive in a wild second period that saw the Fuel outscore the Mallards 4-2. Indy ripped off three straight goals after the Mallards' Jamie Tardif opened the scoring by finishing off a 2-on-1 rush at 3:31 of the second. Iacopelli batted in the tying goal at 5:10. The Fuel was on the power play when Darian Dziurzynski broke the deadlock from point blank range at 10:08. Ryan Rupert stretched Indy's lead to 3-1 with a low drive from the left wing circle at 16:10. Just 19 seconds later, the Mallards' Matt Pohlkamp cut the gap back to a single goal by burying a centering pass from Alexander Kuqali, who had also assisted on Tardif's goal. Iacopelli responded from the slot to reestablish the two-goal Fuel lead at 18:04 of the second.

At 2:39 of the third period Iacopelli completed his hat trick and extended the Indy advantage to 5-2 with a one timer from the slot. The Mallards tried to battle back late in the third but the Fuel would emerge from that final flurry on top 6-4. The Mallards' Brayden Low narrowed the margin to 5-3 from the high slot at 16:37. Johnny McInnis replied with the sixth Fuel goal on a 2-on-1 rush a mere 39 seconds later. Just 37 seconds after the McInnis strike- at 17:53- the Mallards' Chris Izmirlian once more reduced the deficit to two, but the Mallards were unable to produce further late fireworks.

The Fuel completed its home ice sweep of the Mallards Saturday after defeating Quad City 8-7 Thursday night and 4-2 Friday evening.

The Mallards next play at home Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m. against the Utah Grizzlies. Fans can enjoy $1 10-ounce beers from TaxSlayer Center concession stands during all Mallards Wednesday home games.

Tickets for Wednesday night's game and all Mallards regular season home games are now on sale at the TaxSlayer Center box office, Ticketmaster toll free charge-by-phone (1-800-745-3000 <(800)%20745-3000>) and ticketmaster.com. The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from February 24, 2018


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.

OurSports Central