ECHL Indy Fuel

Swamp Rabbits Bounce Back to Take 5-4 Comeback Win over Fuel

March 24, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
Indy Fuel News Release


GREENVILLE, S.C. - Finding themselves less than 10 minutes away from starting their Carolina road trip with a win, the Indy Fuel fell victim to another third period rally. The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (36-24-4-1) pulled two points out of their hats Friday, scoring three times in third period to upend the Fuel (18-40-3-3) 5-4 in the first of a weekend doubleheader at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The two clubs will meet again Saturday night, before Indy finishes a three-game weekend in North Carleston Sunday against the South Carolina Stingrays.

Matt Prapavessis and Spiro Goulakos found the net 1:41 apart midway through the third period to erase a 4-2 Fuel advantage, before Bretton Cameron completed the comeback with the eventual game-winning tally with 2:24 left in regulation. The late surge spoiled a strong start for Indy, which built a two-goal cushion by way of a three-goal push of their own in the second period. Forward Alex Wideman finished with two goals and an assist for the Fuel, who are now 4-3-0-1 over their last eight games.

Prapavessis began the rally at 9:45 of the final frame, when the defenseman snuck down from the blue line and converted a feed from Ahti Oksanen to make it 4-3. Oksanen picked up his second helper of the evening shortly after, when he gained the Fuel zone with speed, driving down the left wing before finding Goulakos open in the slot for the equalizer.

The Swamp Rabbits took the lead for good at 17:18 when Cameron used a screen to beat goaltender Jake Hildebrand over the glove from a shallow angle. Angelo Miceli and Brandon Alderson each picked up assists on Cameron's 20th of the season, all three players finishing with two points on the night.

Greenville struck first early in what was the first game between the two franchises since the 2014-15 season. Matt Johnson redirected a point shot from Desmond Bergin at 1:10, but the quick goal was answered just 1:26 later by the first of Wideman's markers. Kenton Helgesen won a puck battle along the boards and threw a shot on net that handcuffed netminder Jeff Malcolm, before Wideman cleaned up the rebound to tie the game at one. Helgesen's helper was his sixth over his last four games.

Indy grabbed control of the contest in the middle frame, outscoring the Swamp Rabbits by a 3-1 margin, despite only finding four shots during the period. Matt Rupert gave the Fuel a 2-1 edge on the power play just 1:41 into the second, capping off a nice passing play from Kenny Ryan and Paul Zanette for his 18th of the season, and his fourth in five games.

The lead was short lived, as Alderson evened things up at two apiece at 5:56, finishing a back-door feed from Miceli. Wideman put Indy back on top 3-2 at 10:40, snapping a quick wrist shot from the high slot that beat Malcolm over the blocker. Defenseman Robin Press extended the Fuel lead to two at 13:43, activating from the back end to snap a Wideman pass home for his second goal of the season.

Hildebrand suffered the loss for Indy, stopping 33 of 38 shots. Malcolm helped Greenville snap a three-game skid by picking up his 13th victory of the season, making 20 saves.

The Fuel were a perfect 1-for-1 on the man advantage, while killing off a pair of Swamp Rabbits power plays in the first period.

Next Home Game: Saturday, April 1 vs. Fort Wayne - 7:35 p.m. (Made in America presented by IBEW Local #481): While hockey's roots may come from that country up north, the Fuel are saluting the Stars and Stripes on Made In America Night. Meet special guest Robbie Knievel, while we celebrate the Red, White and Blue!

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



ECHL Stories from March 24, 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