Fuel drop third straight game as Utah prevails 5-2

INDIANAPOLIS - The Utah Grizzlies struck with a pair of first period goals and never looked back Saturday night at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis as they defeated the home standing Indy Fuel, 5-2.

On two separate occasions, the Fuel battled back to shave their deficit to a scant singleton. After falling behind 2-0 in the opening stanza, Matt Rupert (15) connected at the 16:36 mark, a mere 1:02 following the visitors second consecutive strike. It was Matt Rupert's third goal in as many games thus far this week for Indy.

Utah recaptured its original two-goal grip early in the second period when Mike Pelech notched his first of a pair of goals at the :39 mark. However, once again, the Fuel wasted little or no time to climb back into contention when left wing Matt Iacopelli fired his 6th goal in his 6th game for the Fuel. The Iacopelli goal, for the second time in the contest, reduced the Fuel deficit to a mere 1-goal, 3-2.

The third period saw the Grizzlies dominate as they uncorked two unanswered goals with Pelech and Ryan Walters delivering and Utah outshooting the Fuel in that fateful final frame, 13-5, and for the game, 47-31.

Goaltender Matt Tomkins made 42-saves in suffering his third consecutive defeat of the week while his counterpart, Joel Rumpel ran his Utah record to 8(6-1-1) with a 29-saves performance.

ECHL Player of the Month for February, Fuel defenseman Robin Press registered 1-assist on the Matt Rupert goal. In the process, Indy's top scoring rearguard extended his point streak to a club record 11-games; 11(4-12-16).

The loss to Utah on Saturday night was the Fuel's first on home ice this season against a Western Conference Mountain Division rival. They had been a perfect 4(4-0-0) in that category.

The Fuel and the Grizzlies will stage an encore presentation Sunday in a 3:05 pm matinee encore presentation at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum on FAMILY FUN DAY.

Single game tickets are now available for the entire 2017-18 Fuel season at Indiana Farmers Coliseum! Fans can also take advantage of a wide variety of ticket plans by calling 317-925-FUEL or visiting IndyFuelHockey.com. Don't miss a second of the action during the 2017-18 season - follow the Fuel on Twitter and Instagram (@IndyFuel) and ‘Like' the Fuel on Facebook.

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