GAME PREVIEW: FUEL VS. MALLARDS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23 - 7:35 P.M.
INDIANA FARMERS COLISEUM, INDIANAPOLIS
TICKETS: TICKETMASTER, INDIANA FARMERS COLISEUM BOX OFFICE
BROADCAST INFO: 1070THEFAN.COM, ECHL.TV
The Story: After picking up two points in spectacular fashion on Thursday, the Indy Fuel (25-24-2-1) look for their third straight victory Friday in a rematch against the Quad City Mallards 19-29-3-1).
The middle leg of a three-game set at Indiana Farmers Coliseum falls on Hockey For Indy night, with puck drop scheduled for 7:35 p.m. ET. Tickets are still available at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum box office or through Ticketmaster.
In Thursday's wild series opener, Indy rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to defeat the Mallards 8-7. After trailing 4-2 to end the first period, the Fuel fought back with six second period goals to take an 8-6 advantage into the final frame. Darian Dziurzynski (2g, 2a) and Josh Shalla (4a) led the offensive onslaught, as 11 different Indy skaters registered at least one point.
The win vaulted the Fuel over the idle Kansas City Mavericks into fifth place in the Central Division standings. With 20 games left to play in the regular season, Indy sits just five points back from the Cincinnati Cyclones and the fourth and the division's fourth and final playoff berth.
So About Last Night...: The Fuel matched or set a series of franchise records in Thursday's back-and-forth contest against Quad City. Indy's eight goals tied the club's single-game high mark, last reached in an 8-7 win over the Mallards at Indiana Farmers Coliseum on March 19, 2017. The Fuel's six-goal second period also matched a record set in that same game last season, where Indy led 6-0 after the first period. Thursday was also the second time in franchise history the Fuel had scored four power play goals in a single game. Indy first accomplished that feat on Dec. 5, 2014 when they finished 4-for-6 in a 7-6 loss to the Florida Everblades.
The New Guys: Indy's roster went through a significant overhaul following their win Tuesday against Cincinnati, and all four recent acquisitions made an impact Thursday against the Mallards. Defenseman Jaynen Rissling - picked up Tuesday via a trade with the Wheeling Nailers - registered a goal and two assists in his Fuel debut. Chicago Blackhawks draft pick Matheson Iacopelli picked up a goal and an assist in his first game since being reassigned to Indy, while forward Logan Nelson tallied an assist in his first action since arriving from Fort Wayne. Defenseman Brendan Mitchell, signed Thursday from the SPHL's Evansville Thunderbolts, also made his Fuel debut.
Multi Point Inspection: Indy is 15-7-0 in their last 22 games against Central Divsion oppenents ... Defenseman Robin Press (8g, 16a) has tallied a goal in three consecutive games, and has points in six straight dating back to Feb. 14 ... Forward Josh Shalla (13g, 15a) has 15 points (4g, 11a) over his last 10 games ... Forward Alex Wideman (11g, 17a) has registered points in all five games (2g, 5a) since returning from his AHL recall last week ... The Fuel have scored more than one power play goal 11 times this season.
Scouting Report: Mallards forward Tristan King (13g, 15a) has tallied 10 points over his last five games, including two goals and two assists Thursday ... Forward Gergo Nagy enters Friday on a six game point streak (3g, 6a).
ECHL MEDIA KIT