Indy Fuel Pit Stop – Week 8

THE FUEL LAUNCH LAST MONTH OF CALENDAR YEAR 2017 BY DIVIDING TWO GAMES IN TWO NIGHTS

ROOKIE GOALTENDER ETIENNE MARCOUX AND CENTER RYAN RUPERT IN STARRING ROLES FOR INDY

GIVING GAME FRIDAY NIGHT VS. WHEELING; ANNUAL TEDDY BEAR TOSS SAT. NIGHT AGAINST WICHITA

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS: 2(1-1-0) 5-4

FRI. DEC. 1 QUAD CITY 1 AT FUEL 3

SAT. DEC. 2 FUEL 2 AT TOLEDO 3

THIS WEEK'S GAMES: (2)

FRI. DEC. 8 WHEELING AT THE FUEL 7:35 PM (THE GIVING GAME /DO317 NIGHT)

SAT. DEC. 9 WICHITA AT THE FUEL 7:35 PM (TEDDY BEAR TOSS NIGHT)

TUES. DEC. 12 THE FUEL AT WHEELING 7:05 PM

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NEXT HOME GAMES: FRI. 12/8 VS. WHEELING THE GIVING GAME / Do317 NIGHT; SAT. 12/9 VS. WICHITA “TEDDY BEAR TOSS”

THE FUEL REVIEW: The past weekend, the Fuel embarked on an ambitious December schedule consisting of 14-games; 8 at home and 6 on the road. Seeing action in a pair of games in as many nights, Indy compiled a composite log of 2(1-1-0) with the victory essayed on home ice Friday night and the setback being incurred in Toledo the following night on Saturday night. Under the direction of Head Coach Bernie John, the hometown team launched the final month of the 2017 calendar year on Friday night on home ice where they capped an extended 6-games' home stand on an upbeat note, decisioning divisional opponent Quad City, 3-1. Undaunted and untrammeled, the men of the Fuel surmounted a 1-0 mid-second period shortfall with a trio of unanswered strikes with the latter two being brewed in the final frame of the game to sever a 1-1 saw-off. Ryan Rupert (1-1-2) GTG/PP, Brandon Anselmini (1-1-2) TBG/GWG and Johnny McInnis (ENG) were the major catalysts for the victors as the home standing Fuel outshot the Mallards, 37-30, and 29-15 in the latter two periods combined. “ET” Marcoux registered the win with a masterful 29-saves masterpiece. Saturday night, the Fuel-men traveled on the ECHL roadways for the first time since November 12th, the destination Toledo, where Indy battled to the bitter end before relenting to the first place Walleye, 3-2. Trailing 3-0, the Fuel were gallant and valiant engineering a late third period rally, comprised of 2-goals 3:56 apart before time ran out. Nolan Descoteaux (1) and Ryan Rupert (PP) were the goal-getters as Indy was outshot, 35-24.

THE STATE OF THE FUEL: As they commence the first full week of their December slate, the Fuel hockey icers occupy 7th place in the ECHL Western Conference Central Division Standings. Through 18-games, “Bernie's Boys” have accumulated a total of 13-points through an overall season mark of 18(5-10-3). They trail 6th place Kalamazoo 17(7-8-2)16 by 3-points with the Wings at 9(2-6-1) in their last 9-outings and 12(3-8-1) in their last dozen dates. Indy trails 5th place Quad City 19(8-10-1)17 by 4-points with the Mallards 8(2-5-1) in their last 8-dates. The Fuel trail 4th place Fort Wayne 18(10-6-2)22 by 9-points. The Komets are 8(6-1-1) in their last 8-assignments. Completing the divisional alignment' 1- Toledo 21(14-4-3)31; 2- Cincinnati 19(12-6-1) 25; 3- Kansas City 22(12-10-0)24. In games within their own division, the Fuel have posted a mark of 10(2-6-2) with the two triumphs attained against Kalamazoo 1(1-0-0) and Quad City 4(1-1-2). The Fuel are 5(0-5-0) combined against Toledo 3(0-3-0); Kansas City 1(0-1-0); Fort Wayne 1(0-1-0). Indy has yet to engage in combat with Cincinnati.

PRESENTING PRIMO PROMOS: This upcoming weekend, when they play host to a pair of games at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, the Fuel will be presenting premium promotions. Friday marks The Giving Game and a Fuel Do317 Night when the co-Eastern Conference North Division pace-setting Wheeling Nailers come to town. The Fuel are 1(0-1-0) against the West Virginia-based squadron. Then on Saturday night, it will be the annual ever-popular “Teddy Bear Toss Night” when Western Conference Mountain Division leading Wichita pays a visit. The two games this weekend will culminate a stretch that will see the Fuel play 8 of 9-games here at home.

THE FUEL FILL-UP: Through their first 18-games of the current campaign, the Fuel have assembled a record of 18(5-10-3) totaling 13-points. They are 9(4-5-0) on home ice and 9(1-5-3) on the road. The past weekend, the Fuel capped an extended 6-games' home stand with a 6(3-3-0) mark. Traveling into hostile territory, the Fuel find themselves winless in their last 5-such endeavors; 5(0-3-2). Their last success abroad was back on October 27th when they throttled league-leading Florida, 5-2. It is one of only 2-outright defeats suffered by the Everblades thus far this season. Indy is 2(1-1-0) at the outset of December. Last December, they were 13(1-11-1). Indy's longest win streak of the season has been 2-in a row, both at home. Longest losing streak has been 3-consecutively; longest winless spell; 7(0-5-2).

RYAN RISING: Center Ryan Rupert enjoyed a highly-productive two-games' weekend, emerging as the focal point of the Fuel's offensive attack. In his team's 3-1 victory over Quad City, he earned the game's #1 Star by sparking the Fuel's 3-goals' comeback counterattack. His PPG midway through the middle stanza while Indy was enjoying the 2-man advantage, equalized the contest at 1-1. The twin brother of teammate and line-mate Matt Rupert joined his brother namesake in assisting on the TBG/GWG in the third period to complete the come-from-behind 3-1 victory verdict. Then on Saturday night in Toledo, Ryan fired his 2nd PPG in as many nights in a 3-2 setback in the Ohio hamlet. For the week, he was 2(2-1-3). In the process, he advanced his present goal-scoring streak to 3-games; (3-1-4), the longest goal-streak for a Fuel player thus far this season. For the season, his 5-goals have been scored through specialty teams' expertise. His 3-PPG match Alex Wideman for the most on the club while his 2-SHG duplicate Nathan Noel for the top team total. Ryan Rupert is the Fuel nomination for Sher-Wood/ECHL Player of the Week.

SOUL OF GOAL: First-year goaltender “ET” Marcoux has continued his extraordinary exhibition of puck-stopping “stupendo” in the Fuel goal. The former star at the U. of New Brunswick was, once again, at the top of his game in both of his club's games the past weekend. On Friday night, the Laval, PQ product brushed aside 29 of 30 Quad City shots, blanking the Mallards after the 19th minute of the opening period, in spearheading his team's hard-earned 3-1 victory. Marcoux was hailed and heralded the game's #2 Star. Saturday night in Toledo, despite the final outcome, he was stout and stellar, detouring 32 of 35-shots. For the week, he was 2(1-1-0) with a 2.00 GAA and .939 SPCT as he rebuffed 61 of 65-SOG. Marcoux is, again, the Fuel nomination for CCM/ECHL Goaltender of the Week.

THE BRAND OF BRANDON: Second-year defenseman Brandon Anselmini has been a real sparkplug for the Fuel in his initial Indy season in '17-18. The product of Ferris State U., catapulted into the hero's role in igniting his team's 3-1 win Friday night over Quad City. Under contract to the Fuel's AHL affiliate in Rockford, Anselmini delivered, with thrilling theater and the flair for the flamboyance, the TBG/GWG in the third period to vault the Fuel into the victory circle. It was the blue line ace of the place first goal of the season as he later collected the primary assist on the Johnny McInnis ENG which sealed the success against the “Quack Attack.” Anselmini posted a superb +2 rating for his night's work. For the season, he is 9(1-5-6).

JOHNNY “MAC”: Recently obtained off waivers from the South Carolina Stingrays, fleet right wing Johnny McInnis has asserted his presence in the lineup with great aplomb and alacrity. In his club's Friday night home triumph over Quad City, he electrified the crowd with speed and quickness in stashing the ENG to cement the success over the “Greenheads.” It was his third goal of the campaign and his initial such strike for the Fuel. In the same game, he achieved a stellar +2 rating. For the week, he was 2(1-1-2).

TOP GUNS GUSTO: Entering the first full week for the month off December, the Fuel listing of premier point producers come accordingly; 1- Cam Reid 16(4-10-14); 2- Nick Bligh 18(7-6-13); 3- Alex Wideman 18(6-6-12); 4- Ryan Rupert 14(5-5-10); 5- Matt Rupert 18(3-5-8); 6- Mike Neal 12(4-2-6); 7- Reed Seckel 18(2-4-6); 8- Zach Miskovic 18(3-3-6); 9- Nolan Descoteaux 18(1-5-6); 10- Robin Press 13(0-6-6); 11- Brandon Anselmini 9(1-5-6); 12- Tommy Olczyk 17(4-1-5).

UNEVEN STRENGTH STORY: The Fuel power play came alive once again the past weekend, halting an 0-9 stretch. Collecting a PPG in each game, the Fuel were 2-7 for the weekend for a proficiency rating of a sound and solid 28.6%. Center Ryan Rupert connected on both PPG for the men of Fuel. For the season, the Fuel ranked 11th in the loop with the man advantage at 14-76 for a proficiency rating of 18.4%. Alex Wideman (3) and Ryan Rupert (3) share the team leadership in PP prowess while Tommy Olczyk (2), Matt Rupert (2) each have stoked a pair of snipes. In the penalty-killing category, the Fuel were perfect personified for the weekend at 7-7, 100%. Overall, Indy has muted 10-consecutive manpower edges presented the adversary; 10-10. On the season, they are rated 12th in the loop with the opposition going 12-79 for an efficiency mark of 84.8%. Indy's 4-SHG rank as 3rd most in the ECHL, matching their entire output from last season. Nathan Noel (2) and Ryan Rupert (2) have each scored a pair shorthanded.

THE MILESTONES MINUTE: Right wing Johnny McInnis (198) is 2-games away from pro career 200. Defenseman Nolan Descoteaux (191) is 9-games from pro career 200. Center Mike Neal (486) is 14-games shy of the pro career 500. Defenseman Zach Miskovic (91) is 9-assists shy of pro career 100. Center Reed Seckel (193) is 7-PIM from 200. Cam Reid (189) is 11-PIM from 200.

FUEL FACTS: The Fuel victory Friday night over Quad City was their 3rd consecutively on home ice against the Mallards, dating back to last season. With their latest setback Saturday night against Toledo, the Fuel lifetime record against the Walleye fell to 20(2-18-0). They are 3(0-3-0) this season. When the Fuel score 4-GF or more, they are undefeated at 3(3-0-0). When they yield 2-GA or less, they are unblemished 5(4-0-1). When they downed Quad City Friday night, 3-1, the Fuel allotted only 1-GA for the first time this season. Indy is 8(2-3-3) in 1-goal games and 5(0-1-4) on the road. The Fuel are 6(3-2-1) when they score the game's FG and 12(2-8-2) when they surrender same. Indy is unsullied entering the third period with the lead at 4(3-0-1) while going 8(0-8-0) when entering the same frame trailing. Four Fuel players have delivered 2-goal games; Matt Rupert, Nick Bligh, Nathan Noel and Mike Neal.

THE FUEL / THE FAN 1070: All this season, all the Indy Fuel action, home and away, play-by-play, all the way, can be heard on the world-wide internet on 1070thefan.com. “The Voice of the Fuel,” Terry Ficorelli will describe all the action radio ice-side for the hometown team. This week's broadcast schedule consists of two games in as many nights this upcoming weekend. Friday night, when the Fuel host the Wheeling Nailers, the broadcast will commence at 7:00 pm; Saturday night when the Fuel guest the Wichita Thunder, the Fuel will be on the air, also at 7:00 pm.

INDY FUEL LIVE: The next edition of “INDY FUEL LIVE” is set for Tuesday night, December 19th from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, live from Aspen Creek Grill in Noblesville. “The Voice of the Fuel,” Terry Ficorelli will be hosting Fuel special guests including Head Coach Bernie John and Assistant Coach Ryan McGinnis.

ECHL ALL-STAR TICKETS ON SALE NOW: Individual tickets are now available for the 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic taking place at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum on January 15, 2018! Fans can secure their seats for the league's mid-season showcase event by visiting ECHLAllStarClassic.com, the Indiana Farmers Coliseum Box Office or by calling (317) 925-FUEL.

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