ECHL Indy Fuel

Indy Fuel Pit Stop Weekly: Week 14

Published on January 16, 2017 under ECHL (ECHL)
Indy Fuel News Release


RECORD-BREAKING CROWD CELEBRATES THE FUEL'S BIG WIN ON BLACKHAWKS NIGHT

THE REJUVENATED FUEL WIN 3- IN ROW IN DIVISIONAL PLAY DURING AMBITIOUS 4-GAMES WORK WEEK

INDY LAUNCHES EXTENDED SIX GAMES' HOMESTAND WITH THREE GAMES AT HOME THIS WEEKEND

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS: 4(3-1-0) 12-11

TUES. JAN. 10 FUEL 1 AT WICHITA 0

FRI. JAN. 13 FUEL 6 AT QUAD CITY 3

SAT. JAN. 14 TULSA 2 AT FUEL 3

SUN. JAN. 15 FUEL 2 AT FORT WAYNE 6

THIS WEEK'S GAMES: (3)

FRI. JAN. 20 TOLEDO AT FUEL 7:35 PM

SAT. JAN. 21 CINCINNATI AT FUEL 7:35 PM

SUN. JAN. 22 CINCINNATI AT FUEL 3:05 PM

NEXT HOME GAMES: FRI. 1/20 VS. TOLEDO 7:35 PM; SAT. 1/21 7:35 PM & SUN. 1/22 3:05 PM VS. CINCINNATI

*** ALL INDY FUEL GAMES HOME AND AWAY ARE BROADCAST LIVE ON INDIANAPOLIS' CBS SPORTS ***

THE FUEL REVIEW: Two games into the second-half of their 72-games' regular season schedule, the Indy Fuel appear to be in upswing status with a lot more motion to their collective notion. Under the auspices of Head Coach Bernie John, the men of Fuel hockey have seen action in 38-games, compiling a season record of 38(12-23-3) for a total of 27-points. At 2(1-1-0) through the initial two outings of the second half, the Fuel will commence the next new week making inroads through vast improvement as reflected in their most recent action the past week. Presently residing in 7th position in the Western Conference Central Division, the Fuel have inched within one point of 6th place Wichita as they continue their resurgence. In the past week of action consisting of 4-games in 6-days against their own Central Division with an overabundance of travel, Indy assembled a masterful 3-game winning streak; their second longest win skein of the campaign. In the process, the hometown team halted an overall 4-game losing streak as well as a protracted 11-games' winless slide on foreign ice. For the season, the Fuel are 17(7-9-1) at home; having prevailed in 2 of their last 3-home starts while abroad, they are 21(5-14-2) overall and 3(2-1-0) in the last trio of offerings.

AN ALL-TIME RECORD: The Fuel's annual, ever-popular "Blackhawks' Night" was one for the ages for Fuel history, and for that matter, the entire history of Indianapolis pro hockey. The past Saturday night at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, an all-time record-breaking, history-making crowd of 6,549 were in full throat as the leather-lunged legion exhorted the Fuel to a masterful 3-2 triumph over second place Tulsa. With former Blackhawks' great, Hall of Fame center Denis Savard as the main headliner and legendary anthem crooner Jim Cornelison belting out his favorite song, an inspired Fuel squad bedazzled the sellout crowd with a 3-goals' early second period blitz in 6:48 to eradicate a 1-0 deficit and catapult the men of the Fuel into the victory circle. It was the Fuel's lone home appearance for the physically-demanding week in an atmosphere that could only be best described as absolutely electric. In short, it was a perfect night for Indy Fuel hockey and the hockey city of Indianapolis.

HITTING THE TRIFECTA: Confronting a rigorous regimen of 4-games in 6-days the past week with all 4-games opposing their own Central Division opposition, the Fuel responded remarkably with an impressive 3-game winning streak. It was Indy's first semblance of a win streak since back before Thanksgiving when it was in the midst of a season's best 6-game winning skein. Opening the week on a high note Tuesday night in Wichita, the Fuel found flaws were few under the most scrutinizing magnifying glass in a thrilling 1-0 victory. Defenseman Jonathan Carlson netted the game's lone goal at 12:46 of the third period while goalkeeper Jake Hildebrand repelled all 32-shots in recording his second shutout of the season with both zero acts executed on the road. It was the Fuel's first foreign ice success since back on November 12th when Hildebrand and company forged a 2-0 shutout success in Alaska. The travelogue had dictated the Fuel's next stop to be in the Quad Cities where in America's Heartland, the Fuel dispatched the Mallards, 6-3. Indy's triumph featured an exceedingly well-balanced 6-goal attack with 6-different Fuel-men marksmen featured. Alex Guptill attained the game's # 1 Star with (1-2-3); Josh Shalla (1-1-2), Bryn Chyzyk, Patrick D'Amico, Matt Rupert and debuting center Paul Zanette also connecting. In his Fuel premiere appearance, the recently-acquired Zanette delivered the GWG with debuting defenseman Adam Phillips earning the primary assist. Both Zanette and Phillips achieved supreme +2 ratings. The Fuel made it 3-in succession Saturday night in their lone home outing for the week and 3-2 triumph over Tulsa. Bryn Chyzyk, Josh Shalla and Chris Williams connected for the victors. Fighting the Fuel fatigue factor, Indy trembled at Fort Wayne Sunday, 6-2. Josh Shalla was (1-1-2); Kevin Lynch also connected on the power play.

HOMESTAND STARTS: With their appearance Sunday in Fort Wayne, the Fuel have completed their road slate for January. Indy will remain on home ice for the remainder of this month as they broach an extended 6-games' home stand this upcoming weekend. Playing 3-home games in 3-days, the Fuel will engage in combat against a pair of Ohio rivals as first place Toledo pays its first call of the campaign Friday night before Cincinnati touches down for a pair of encounters Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. The Fuel are 7(3-4-0) in 7-previous clashes with the Cyclones and 3(2-1-0) at home.

WINE WOMEN & HOCKEY: All female fans are invited to join Fuel players and staff for a night of hockey wine and mostly fun at Balmoral Golf Club! Learn more about the game, equipment and those who play it leading up to Saturday's Date Night at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Women, Wine & Hockey is just $25 to attend, and participants will receive a special gift. In addition, attendees can purchase discount tickets to Date Night presented by the Bosma Foundation on Jan. 28, as the Fuel take on the Quad City Mallards. Click here to learn more and to register.

PRINCESS DAY BANQUET: Royalty returns to Indiana Farmers Coliseum on Sunday, Jan. 29, and our special guests are hosting an exclusive pregame banquet in the Bier Brewery Lounge! Bring your future dignitaries to meet, sing and dance with Elsa, Anna, Belle and Cinderella before the Fuel take on the Quad City Mallards. The exclusive package includes a special gift and a game ticket. Click here to RSVP .

PRIME TIME PROMOTIONS: Always imaginative, always innovative and creative, the Fuel brain trust is back on the high beam once again with more primo promos. Friday night the Fuel organization plans to present a very special "surprise" announcement for Indianapolis hockey. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a surprise giveaway to commemorate this special announcement. On Saturday night, it has been designated as "Snowball Saturday." On this special night, Fuel ticket prices will be melting away courtesy of Indiana Farmers Mutual Insurance. Fans can land tickets to watch the Fuel tangle with Cincinnati for as low as $1!! A limited number of such discount tickets are still available. Then on Sunday, it will be another "Family Fun Day" as the whole family can enjoy a post-game skating party with all of the Fuel players who will be available for autographs and photographs.

SHALLA SHOOTS THE SHOT: Since his acquisition from Wheeling, left wing Josh Shalla has been the tonic and the talent the Fuel were searching for in curing their goal-scoring ills. The past week, the 5-year pro was the major catalyst in his club's 4(3-1-0) record. The 6-1, 205lb sharpshooting ace of the place assembled a masterful 4-game point streak comprised of 4(3-5-8) with 2-TBG, 13-SOG, one #1 Star of game status and one #2 Star achievement as well as a +2 rating. In his last 6-games; 6(4-6-10); last 12-games; 12(9-6-15). He is currently on a 3-games' goal-scoring streak as well. Shalla is the Fuel's nomination for Sher-Wood/ECHL Player of the Week.

JAKE THE BLOCKADE: First-year net-minder Jake Hildebrand turned in a stellar week of puck prevention attention. Getting the starting nod in all 4-games the past week, the 4-time MSU MVP posted a sparkling 4(3-1-0) mark, 1-shutout, a 1-0 gem Tuesday night in Wichita, a 2.75 GAA and .929 SPCT. He earned one #1 Star status and one #2 Star honors. Hildebrand is the Fuel's nomination for CCM/ECHL Goaltender of the Week.

ALEX THE ALL-STAR: Indy left wing Alex Wideman is ECHL All-Star bound this week. The League's annual classic is set for this Wednesday night, January 18th at the Glens Falls Civic Center, Glens Falls, NY, the home of the Adirondack Thunder. The Fuel's premiere point producing sparkplug reaches the All-Star Game percolating prodigiously. Acting the role of playmaker extraordinaire, Wideman has amassed 10-assists over the last 11-games. In his last 5-games; 5(0-6-6). Wideman is the Fuel's lone representative for the All-Star Game.

THE LEADING MEN: The Fuel's top point-makers at this stage of the season. 1- Alex Wideman 38(12-21-33); 2- Josh Shalla 37((19-14-33); 3- Kevin Lynch 35(11-13-24); 4- Alex Guptill 34(11-10-21); 5- Paul Zanette 35(10-11-21); 6- Patrick D'Amico 32(5-11-16); 7- Matt Rupert 38(9-6-15); 8- Jonathan Carlsson 34(2-12-14); 9- Nick Mattson 36(1-11-12); 10- Matt Stanisz 32(4-6-10).

SPECIAL TEAMS TAPE: After a rather desolate stretch of 1 for 22, the Fuel power play came alive over the past two games this past weekend. In those last 2-games, the extra man attack is 2 for the last 7 for a proficiency rating of 28.6%. The power play is 3 for the last 14 for an improving rating of 21.4%. For the season, the Fuel power play ranks 23rd in the ECHL, operating at 13.5% proficiency at 14-104 overall and 6 for 62 on the road. Concerning the penalty-killing effort, the Fuel have faltered somewhat. The opponents are 5 for the last 20 for a PK efficiency rating of 75%.

FUEL FACTS: The Fuel recent 3-game win streak was their second longest of the season. The longest was 6-wins in a row. Until those 3-consecutive wins for the week, all against the Central Division, the Fuel were 9(1-6-2) against their own division. When the Fuel dispatched the Mallards in Quad City Friday night, 6-3, it was the 5th time Indy had matched its largest goal-scoring output of the season. The Fuel are 10(4-5-1) spanning the last 10-games. Through the first 38-games of the season, the Fuel have achieved the lead after the first period only 6-times, posting a 6(4-2-0) record in that category. Indy has scored 6-GF a total of 5-times this season, registering a record of 5(3-1-1). The Fuel are 9(8-1-0) leading after 2-periods and 21(1-18-2) when they trail. Of their 12-total wins this season, the Fuel have claimed 7 of those victories by a minuscule 1-goal margin. Indy is 1(0-1) in overtime thus far this season and 3(1-2) in the OTSO. The Fuel have employed 43-players this far this season and have only 11-players remaining from their opening night roster. Alex Wideman and Matt Rupert are the only 2-Fuel players to have played in all 38-games this season.

FUEL TV TIME: All season long, all Indy Fuel Friday and Saturday night home games are televised live in simulcast form. WTHR-TV 13 / COZI-TV will have all of the action live 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 afternoon 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 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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ECHL Stories from January 16, 2017


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