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ECHL Indy Fuel

Indy Fuel Pit Stop Weekly - Week 24

March 27, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
Indy Fuel News Release


THE FUEL RESURGENT MONTH OF MARCH CONTINUES; INDY WINS 3 OF LAST 4 AND 4 OF LAST 6-STARTS

INDY POSTS WINNING RECORD THROUGH 11-GAMES OF MONTH OF 11(5-4-2); FUEL FIREPOWER POTENT

HOME WEEKEND RIVALRIES COMING UP; FORT WAYNE IN TOWN SATURDAY; CINCINNATI HERE ON SUNDAY

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS: 3(2-1-0) 12-7

FRI. MAR. 24 FUEL 4 AT GREENVILLE 5

SAT. MAR. 25 FUEL 4 AT GREENVILLE 1

SUN. MAR. 26 FUEL 4 AT SOUTH CAROLINA 1

THIS WEEK'S GAMES: (3)

FRI. MAR. 31 FUEL AT TOLEDO 7:15 PM

SAT. APR. 1 FORT WAYNE AT FUEL 7:35 PM

SUN. APR. 2 CINCINNATI AT FUEL 3:05 PM

THE FUEL REVIEW: The month of March has witnessed the Indy Fuel become a re-energized, rejuvenated ECHL hockey club bent on achieving the best possible finish available for the remainder of the current campaign. Under the direction of Head Coach Bernie John, the men of the Fuel have fortified their stranglehold on 6th place in the Western Conference Central Division standings. With two weeks and 6-total games remaining on the duration of their 72-games regular season schedule, the Fuel-men have posted an overall season mark of 66(20-40-6) totaling 46-points. After gaining only one victory in the month of February, the Fuel have been galvanized to the tune of a winning record through the initial 11-games of their 12-games March month. Presently, they have accrued 12-points in the standings this month on a record of 11(5-4-2). Indy has one more game on the docket for this month as it approaches the last 6-games, of which, 4 will be at home with 2-more on the road with both of the latter contests set for Toledo against the Central Division and league-leading Walleye.

THE SURGE WITH SPLURGE: Presently the Fuel are firing on all cylinders. They have posted back-to-back victories, not only overall but also on the road. Indy embarks on the second to last week of the campaign having won 2-in a row. They are 4(3-1-0) in the last 4-starts; 6(4-2-0) over the last half-dozen dates and 9(5-3-1) in the last 9-tests. On foreign ice, the club is prospering prominently, having prevailed in the last pair of bouts while extracting 3-victories in their last 4-journeys abroad. The Fuel's current 2-game win streak in enemy territory marks the third time in which they have accomplished that feat thus far this season. Indy's 5-wins this month are one shy of matching their most wins for a single month this season. In November, the Fuel crew composed its lone winning month of the year at 12(6-5-1), They are 11(5-4-2) for March. Through the first 3-games of a 4-games road venture, the Fuel are 3(2-1-0).

MADE IN AMERICA NIGHT: While hockey may have come from that country up north, the Fuel will be paying tribute to the Red, White and Blue on Saturday April 1 during Made In America Night at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, presented by IBEW Local #481. To celebrate the occasion, daredevil Robbie Knievel will be in attendance when Indy tangles with the Fort Wayne Komets. Meet and get your picture with the American icon by heading to IndyFuelHockey.com to grab your tickets today!

KEYSTONE BAR & GRILL SAMPLING : Visit the Keystone Bar & Grill booth Saturday in the Indiana Farmers Coliseum lobby and sample some of their delicious Mac & Cheese! While you are there, grab a coupon to save $1.00 on any variety of Keystone Bar & Grill's signature mac and cheese from participating Kroger locations.

DICK'S SPORTING GOODS DEAL: Our friends at DICK'S Sporting Goods have a variety of offers they are extending to Fuel fans. Click here to view these special offers, which you can print and redeem at participating DICK'S Sporting Goods locations throughout the year.

RIVALRY WEEKEND: Coming up this weekend for the revitalized Fuel is a pair of home appearances at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum against their two most notorious arch-rivals. After a 2-weeks' absence, Indy is back in town on Saturday night to launch their brief April schedule when they rekindle animosities with their in-state enemies from Fort Wayne. The Fuel are 8(1-5-2) in 8- collisions against the Komets and 5(1-3-1) here at home. Cincinnati touches down in our town on Sunday in a 3:05 Sunday matinee affair on the final Family Fun Day of the season. The Cyclones are waging a titanic battle for a coveted playoff berth in the Eastern Conference South Division. The Fuel have gained triumphs in 4 of the previous meetings between the two clubs with 3 of Indy's victories attained on home ice. Prior to their rivalry home weekend, the Fuel have a date in Toledo against the league-leading Walleye this Friday night. Indy is 2(0-2-0) when battling the Walleye who are on the precipice of capturing the Central Division, Western Conference and ECHL Regular Season Championships.

WINNING WEEKEND WALLOP: In their one and only sojourn to the State of South Carolina the past weekend, the Fuel hockey icers conceived and executed some of their best, most precise hockey of the campaign. In fact, Indy was one period away from a clean sweep of the 3-games in 3-days when in combat against Greenville twice and South Carolina once. Despite an overall sound and solid effort and performance on Friday night in the opening game of a 2-games' series in Greenville, the Fuel could not secure a 4-2 third period advantage, relenting to the Swamp Rabbits, 5-4. The Fuel had surged into the 2-goals' bulge on the impetus of a 3-goals' second period assault, spurred by a Matt Rupert PPG and climaxed by strikes stoked by Alex Wideman and Robin Press. Wideman essayed (2-1-3) while former Greenville center Paul Zanette assisted twice.

Saturday night, turnabout proved to be fair play for the Fuel squadron as they struck with 4-unanswered goals, including a "trifecta" of their own third period goals to dispatch Greenville 4-1. Goaltender Eric Levine earned the game's #1 Star with a magnificent 40-saves enormous performance including making 18-saves on 18-shots in the opening frame of the game. Nick Bligh triggered the 4-goal torrent with a late second period PPG to equalize matters before Kenny Ryan emanated and culminated the comeback counterattack crescendo with a pair of third period strikes to spark the victory verdict. Ryan and Rupert each connected on ENG :33 apart to close out the victory and close down the Swamp Rabbits.

Then on Sunday, the vivified and aroused Fuel sextet left no doubt, seizing an early 2-0 lead with 2-goals :38 apart by the 2:45 mark of the opening stanza in subduing playoff-aspiring South Carolina in North Charleston, again, by the replica result of 4-1. Bligh (FG) and Josh Shalla (30) GWG struck early for the visitors before Mike Neal punctuated the second consecutive 3-goals' stanza for the Fuel with :19 remaining late in the period. Matt Rupert added his second ENG in as many days late in the final frame to solidify the back-to-back victories. Jake Hildebrand, like his tandem mate Levine, was named the game's #1 Star with a brilliant 43-saves masterpiece.

MATT ON TRACK: Second-year left wing Matt Rupert continues to come of age with each passing game in this his initial Indy season. The past weekend in South Carolina, the former OHL London Knights standout asserted his presence with titanic tenacity. The rugged left wing delivered key, touch-in-the-clutch goals in each clash, advancing his current goal-scoring scourge to 4-games; 4(4-3-7) while becoming his team's third 20-goal cannoneer this season. In his last 6-games, he is 6(5-3-8). His 5-PPG top the team. He has also delivered two 2-goal games. Rupert is the Fuel's nomination for Sher-Wood / ECHL Player of the Week.

GUARDIANS OF THE GOAL: The past weekend saw both Fuel goaltenders truly shine. Saturday night in Greenville, Eric Levine was named the #1 Star with his superlative 40-saves show in his club's 4-1 triumph. Then less than 24-hours later, sidekick Jake Hildebrand took his curtain call as the #1 Star in repelling 43 of 44-SOG in his squad's 4-1 decision over South Carolina. With 3 victories in his last 4-starts and continuing to lead the league in saves made, Hildebrand gains the nod for the Fuel nomination for CCM / ECHL Goaltender of the Week.

KENNY KINETIC: Slick, sleek center Kenny Ryan has found his game in this Fuel month of March renaissance. Coming off the 3-goal "hat trick" last Sunday in the toast of triumph over visiting Quad City, the polished pivot sustained his scoring scourge over the weekend in Carolina. For the weekend, he was 3(2-3-5) with 2-goals in the Saturday win at Greenville and 2-assists Sunday in the victory at North Charleston. Before his club's Sunday triumph, Ryan had scored the GWG in 2-consecutive Fuel victories. In his last 4-games; 4(5-3-8).

MIKE PSYCHED: Strapping center Mike Neal has been the real deal for "Bernie and the Jets." After yet another highly-productive week of offensive activity, the Fuel supreme catalyst has now engineered 14-points in his last 7-games on 7(7-7-14). Moreover, in his last 9-games; 9(8-8-16). In his team's 2-triumphs over the weekend he was 2(1-3-4).

PAUL PROLIFIC: Center Paul Zanette has returned to the lineup bent on generating more scoring punch to the Fuel's high-tech, high-octane attack. The past weekend, he collected 3-points in 3-games and for his last 4-games; 4(1-4-5) for the former All-American at Niagara U.

QUICK STICK NICK: First-year right wing Nick Bligh continues to be a pleasant discovery for the Fuel. The Dartmouth College product drilled a pair of key, clutch goals in his team's sweep of the latter 2-games the past weekend. On Saturday night in Greenville, his PPG late in the second period not only knotted the contest at 1-1 but also torched Indy's 4-goal inferno in the 4-1 win. Not missing a beat, the "Big Green" gunslinger fired the game's FG early in the first period Sunday to spearhead another 4-1 triumph; this time in North Charleston. Bligh was (1-1-2) on Sunday.

THE ALEX INDEX: All-Star left wing Alex Wideman has been a paragon of point-producing consistency and congruity all season long. The diminutive, dynamic forward registered a masterful 3-points performance on Friday night, uncorking his third 2-goal game of the campaign. In his last 8-games; 8(2-7-9); last 19-games; 19(6-12-18). Wideman's multiple goal game efforts pace the Fuel this season.

THE INDY INFERNO: The Fuel firepower has been prolific and prodigious in their March resurrection. With a 4(3-1-0) record in their last 4-starts, the Fuel have buffeted and blistered their embattled adversaries with a 20-goals' onslaught for a per game average of a powerful 5.00. Moreover, with a 6(4-2-0) mark in their last half-dozen dates, they have amassed 27-GF for a GFA of 4.50. Last 9-games; 9(5-3-1) with 38-GF for a GFA of 4.22.

SPECIAL TEAMS TONIC: For their South Carolina weekend, the Fuel power play scored some mighty, momentous, monumental thrusts. Indy's extra man band was 2-6 for a proficiency rating of a healthy 33.3%. During their recent resurgence, the Fuel are 5 for the last 20 for a conversion rating of an excellent 25%. Meanwhile, the Fuel penalty-killing cast has been blade sharp. In the 3-games the past weekend, the shorthand band defused 9 of 10 advantages afforded the adversary for an efficiency rating of a stellar 90%. Beyond the past weekend, the PK has been more than OK as it has immobilized 12 of the last 13 for a ratings mark of a sparkling 92.3%.

FUEL FACTS: In permitting only 1-GA in each of their last 2-games, the Fuel have now limited their opponents to 1-GA or less in 9-games this season; 4-shutouts and 5-more at 1-GA. They have assembled a perfect record of 9(9-0-0) in that department. In their 3-day trip to South Carolina, the Fuel connected on 4-GF in each game, outscoring the home teams, 12-7. With their back-to-back wins, the Fuel have balanced their record against the Eastern Conference South Division to 16(8-8-0). Including their 3-goal third period on Saturday night in Greenville, the Fuel assembled 2-consecutive 3-goal stanzas when they delivered another "trifecta" in period one Sunday in North Charleston. At one stage, the Fuel had scored 6-consecutive goals between Greenville Saturday and North Carolina on Sunday. In the last 2-games over the weekend, the Fuel scored 8 of the last 9-goals, outscoring the 2-Carolina teams, 8-1. Indy is 29(16-10-3) when scoring the game's FG and 20(14-4-2) entering the third period with the lead.

THE FUEL ON TV: All season long in 2016-17, all Indy Fuel Friday night and Saturday night home games are televised live in simulcast form. WHTR-TV 13 (NBC) / COZI-TV will present all of the action with the Fuel's exclusive radio flagship home of CBS SPORTS 1430. Terry Ficorelli will have the play-by-play call with Bob Kravitz and Talor Whitaker alongside.

THE DAILY FUEL FILL-UP: All Fuel hockey fans can stay up to date every day even when there is not a game. It's "The Fuel Fix From Fic," Monday through Friday during the Kent Sterling Show from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm on the exclusive radio flagship home of the Indy Fuel CBS SPORTS 1430.

TICKET INFORMATION: Indy Fuel game tickets for all home games are available at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations or on line at indyfuelhockey.com. Call us by phone as well at (317) 925-FUEL.

SOUTH OF CHICAGO : Fill your tank at South of Chicago and Fuel your Fridays in the process! Enjoy the lunch buffet at any of the three South of Chicago Pizza & Beef locations and pick up a coupon for $3 off any ticket to a Friday Fuel home game. Must redeem coupon at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum box office, limit one coupon per ticket. For more information, visit nobspizza.com.

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