GAME PREVIEW: FUEL AT WINGS
SUNDAY, JANUARY 28 - 3:00 P.M.
WINGS EVENT CENTER, KALAMAZOO, MICH.
BROADCAST INFO: 1070THEFAN.COM, ECHL.TV
The Story: After claiming game one of a two-game set at Wings Event Center Saturday night, the Indy Fuel (18-19-2-1) go for a weekend sweep in a rematch with the Kalamazoo Wings (22-15-2-2) Sunday afternoon. Fans back in Indianapolis can follow the matinee action starting at 3 p.m. ET on 1070TheFan.com/IndyFuel or through ECHL.TV.
For the second straight week, the Fuel enter Sunday with a chance to win their third game in as many days. Indy followed up a 5-4 overtime triumph in Cincinnati Friday night with a 5-3 win over the Wings Saturday to begin a back-to-back in Kalamazoo. Goaltender Greg Dodds carded a magnificent performance for the visitors, stopping 53 of 56 shots to pick up his first ECHL victory in what was his first start for the Fuel. Defenseman Brandon Anselmini potted the eventual game-winning goal while shorthanded in the second period, all part of a three-point performance (1g, 2a).
With a 5-2 record over the club's last seven games, Indy has started to put itself back in the Central Division playoff picture. The Fuel trail the fifth-place Cyclones by seven points, while pulling within nine points of the fourth-place Wings with a game in hand.
The Doddfather: Rookie goaltender Greg Dodds picked up his first ECHL win in spectacular fashion Saturday, making a staggering 53 saves against Kalamazoo. The performance set a team season-high for saves in a signle game, and was the busiest night for a Fuel netminder since Jake Hildebrand stopped 54 shots in a 5-4 overtime loss in Fort Wayne on Feb. 24, 2017. Dodds became the fourth goalie in franchise history to cross the 50-save threshold, joining Hildebrand, Mac Carruth and Eric Levine.
Just Press Play: Since returning to the Fuel lineup on Jan. 12, defenseman Robin Press (3g, 9a) has quietly put up offensive numbers. With a goal and an assist Saturday against Kalamazoo, the blueliner now has three goals and three assists in the eight games since being reassigned to Indy from AHL Rockford.
Multi Point Inspection: Forward Darian Dziurzynski (10g, 10a) has four goals and four assists over his last eight games ... Indy ranks third in the ECHL with nine shorthanded goals ... The Fuel have outscored opponents 6-1 in the second period over their last two games ... Matt Rupert was not in the lineup Saturday for Indy, ending a stretch of 112 consecutive games played by the Fuel forward ... Defenseman Zach Miskovic is the only player on Indy's roster who has seen action in all 40 games this season.
Inside the Matchup: Saturday's win gives the Fuel a 3-2 lead in the season series with the Wings, with Sunday being the sixth of 10 games in 2017-18 between the Central Division rivals. Following this afternoon's rematch, Indy will return to Wings Event Center for another weekend set on Feb. 10-11.
Scouting Report: Wings forward J.T. Stenglein (7g, 13a) extended a point streak to seven games (2g, 4a) with a third period goal on Saturday ... Brendan Bradley (9g, 21a)has found the scoresheet in eight of his last nine outings, compiling three goals and 10 assists over that span.
ECHL MEDIA KIT