Solar Bears Respond with 3-2 Win over Fuel
February 18, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Indy Fuel News Release
ORLANDO - After starting their three-game visit to Amway Center with a decisive 5-3 victory on Wednesday, the Indy Fuel (25-26-2-0) fell victim to a bounce-back performance by the Orlando Solar Bears (23-20-2-4), who secured a 3-2 win on Thursday night. Spotting Indy a 5-0 lead the night before, Orlando built a 2-0 advantage in the first period and added a shorthanded tally from Johnny McInnis in the third to even up the tripleheader and take a 2-1 lead in the overall season series. The Fuel and Solar Bears meet one last time this season on Saturday.
Orlando came out of the gates firing, outshooting the Fuel 16-11 in the opening frame and building a two-goal lead from goals by Brady Vail and Austin Block. The owner of the final two goals from Wednesday's contest, Vail opened the scoring on Thursday. A Max Nicastro point shot rebounded out to the high slot, where Vail was able to corral and deliver a spinning shot through the legs of Fuel goaltender Shane Owen. The forward's 16th of the season and third of the week gave the Solar Bears a 1-0 lead 11:28 into play.
The lead doubled late in the frame when Austin Block finished off a precise passing play in transition. Gaining the zone on a 2-on-1 rush, Patrick Watling looked off his pass and found Block trailing behind. The two lured Owen out of position with a trio of passes before Block deposited the puck into the empty cage for a 2-0 lead at 18:07.
Indy answered back with a strong second period, controlling the play and eventually halving the lead with Alex Lavoie's third goal in two games. Cody Sharib set up the play, stripping a Solar Bear at his offensive blue line before driving wide down the left half wall. The rookie forward squeezed a feed across the goal mouth to Lavoie, who only had to redirect the puck to make it a 2-1 game at 17:24 of the second.
The Fuel poured a total of 23 shots on Orlando netminder Rob Madore in the second, a single-period season high mark.
But the Solar Bears regained the momentum in the third period, restoring their two-goal cushion with McInnis' shorthanded marker. With Eric Faille in the box, Indy won an offensive zone draw clean to Lavoie on the blue line. However, the forward caught an edge, leaving McInnis with a 150-foot breakaway, which he converted for the eventual game-winning goal.
Sharib brought the game back to within a goal late when he blasted a slap shot behind Madore. Picking up a Peter Schneider feed in his own zone, Sharib led the rush down the left wing and picked up his 11th goal of the season with 3:25 to play in regulation.
The Fuel pressed hard for the tying goal, but could not crack Madore a third time, who finished with 43 saves and his ninth win of the year. Owen played admirably in defeat made a season-high 44 saves, including 19 saves in the third period.
Both teams finished the game 0-for-3 on the power play, although Orlando chipped in the shorthanded goal.
Next Home Game: Tuesday, Feb. 23 vs. Missouri Mavericks - 7:05 p.m. Dogs are every hockey player's best friend! Receive a $10 voucher towards ANY concession purchase with paid admission! FACE Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic will be on hand with a few furry friends and details on how you can make a positive impact in an animal's life.
Single-game tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster or at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum box office, while a variety of different ticket plans and group specials are available by calling (317) 925-FUEL or visiting IndyFuelHockey.com. Don't miss out on anything from the Fuel in 2015-16, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@IndyFuel) and don't forget to 'Like' the Fuel on Facebook.
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