ECHL Indy Fuel

Mallards Score Six Straight to Topple Fuel

Published on March 5, 2017 under ECHL (ECHL)
Indy Fuel News Release


MOLINE, ILL. - An early lead for the Indy Fuel gave way to six unanswered goals against, as the Quad City Mallards (32-22-1-2) cruised to a 6-1 victory over Indy (15-37-3-2) Saturday night at iWireless Center. The setback extends a winless streak to five games for the Fuel, who return to Indiana Farmers Coliseum for three games next weekend.

Nick Bligh's goal 92 seconds into the contest was the only offense Indy was able to muster Saturday, before Quad City rallied for a 2-1 lead after the first period, adding three more goals in the second. Defenseman Dylan Labbe tallied a goal and two assists for the Mallards, while Brady Brassart and Kevin Gibson each chipped in two assists. In all, 13 of the 15 Quad City skaters dressed finished the night with at least a point. The Mallards have now claimed seven of the eight games against the Fuel so far in 2016-17, winning the previous three by a combined 18-4 margin.

After disrupting a Quad City breakout and forcing a turnover, Bligh spotted Indy the early 1-0 lead. The rookie took a feed from Kenton Helgeson and banked a centering pass off of a defenseman and behind goaltender Adam Vay for his eighth goal of the season.

A fortunate bounce led to the Mallards' game-tying goal courtesy of Chris Francis. Sam Warning's initial shot hit linemate Michael Parks in the crease before veering right to a wide-open Francis, who beat netminder Eric Levine at 13:57. Quad City grabbed the lead in the final minute of the first period when Josh MacDonald deposited a rebound inside the right post with 27 seconds remaining in the frame.

The late goal proved to swing the momentum in the home team's favor, which they used to take over the game with three second-period tallies. Labbe made it 3-1 at 9:33 when he redirected a point shot from Donnie Harris, shortly after a draw in the Fuel zone. Defenseman Mike Wilson extended the lead to three at 13:08 when his long-range offering evaded Levine through traffic in front.

Moments after Vay made an impressive behind-the-back save to keep a carom off the end boards from entering his own net, Grant Arnold increased Quad City's lead to 5-1. After seeing a chance of his own denied by Levine, Gibson circled around the cage and found Arnold in front for a one-timer finish at 18:51 of the second.

Chase Lang completed the scoring at 9:09 of the final frame, getting the last touch on a Labbe shot that changed direction twice before crossing the goal line.

Vay turned aside 26 shots to record his 15th victory of the season for the Mallards, who remain in third place in the ECHL's Central Division standings. Levine was peppered with 42 shots, stopping 36 en route to swallowing the loss.

Next up for the Fuel is a three-in-three weekend at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, beginning Friday and Saturday against the Fort Wayne Komets.

Next Home Game: Friday, March 10 vs. Fort Wayne - 7:35 p.m. (Hockey Night in Indy): Join the celebration as the Fuel take the ice for their 100th home game at Indiana Farmers Coliseum! We're giving away special commemorative jerseys to 100 random fans, to go along with many more prize drawings. We're saluting future Fuel stars as well, as youth hockey players will be recognized during the game. Friday is also a Fuel College Night presented by Moe's Southwest Grill - pick up a ticket, $5 towards concessions and $5 Moe's Bucks for $20 with a valid college ID.

Single-game tickets are now available for the third season of Fuel hockey in Indianapolis at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum box office or at all Ticketmaster locations. Ticket Plans of all sizes are also available, from Full-Season Plans to six and three-game packages, in addition to Group Ticket options. Learn more by visiting IndyFuelHockey.com or calling 317-925-FUEL. Stay up to date throughout the offseason by following the Fuel on Twitter and Instagram (@IndyFuel) and don't forget to 'Like' the Fuel on Facebook.

-- INDYFUELHOCKEY.COM --

Check out the Indy Fuel Statistics

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



ECHL Stories from March 5, 2017


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