Cincinnati halts Indy's three game winning streak in 5-2 triumph

INDIANAPOLIS - The visiting Cincinnati Cyclones unleashed a four-goals' second period rally and ended the Indy Fuel's three-games' win streak Friday night at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum, skating to a 5-2 victory.

Indy gained a 1-0 lead at the first intermission when Matt Rupert (18) redirected a Johnny McInnis shot which the latter uncorked from the top of the offensive right circle to stake his club to its lone lead of the night. It marked the eighth consecutive game in which the Fuel generated the game's first goal. Until Friday night, they were unblemished in the previous seven such games at 7(5-0-2).

The second period told the tale of the tape in this contest as Cincinnati struck with four goals, matching the most goals surrendered by the Fuel in a single stanza this season. Winston Day Chief sparked the spree on a breakaway flight before Daniel Mozito-Bagenda lifted the Cyclones into their first lead of the game :36 later at the 3:23 mark. However, the Fuel answered 1:24 later on McInnis 20th goal of the campaign as he deflected home a Brandon Anselmini shot from the left side.

The Cincinnatians came right back to reclaim their lead with two more goals 1:11 apart as Justin Vaive scored his 32nd and Mike Barrett notched his 5th on a Cyclones power play.

The third period was scoreless until the latter stages when Brandon McNally found the empty net after Indy had lifted goaltender “ET” Marcoux for the sixth attacker in a bid to forge the deadlock and prolong the affair to extra time.

The Fuel outshot Cincinnati, 41-33 with Marcoux having his personal seven games' win streak snapped while former USHL Indiana Ice goaltender Hayden Stewart turned aside 39-shots in posting the win.

The Fuel #1 ranked in the ECHL power play was 0-3 while the Cyclones man advantage unit went 1-4. The Fuel setback halted their six games' home ice win streak against Cincinnati, dating back to last season. Though the Fuel did capture the season series 10(7-3-0).

With Kalamazoo earning one point through an OTSO loss in Quad City to the Mallards, 5-4, the Fuel are now tied with the Wings for the fourth and final playoff spot with both teams having two games remaining to close their 72-games regular season schedule.

Indy will host Toledo Saturday night at 7:35pm before Kalamazoo comes calling for the finale Sunday in a 3:05 matinee at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Kalamazoo will play its regular season finale Saturday night, hosting Brampton.

Single game tickets for the final weekend of the regular season are available through Ticketmaster or at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum box office! 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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