GAME PREVIEW: FUEL AT WALLEYE
CENTRAL DIVISION SEMIFINALS - GAME 2 (TOLEDO LEADS SERIES 1-0)
SUNDAY, APRIL 15 - 5:15 P.M.
HUNTINGTON CENTER, TOLEDO, OHIO
BROADCAST INFO: 1070THEFAN.COM, ECHL.TV
The Story: The Indy Fuel look to even the Central Division Semifinals at a game apiece Sunday during Game 2 against the Toledo Walleye at the Huntington Center. Puck drop from northern Ohio is set for 5:15 p.m., with coverage coming live via 1070TheFan.com/IndyFuel and ECHL.TV.
Toledo opened the first-round series by claiming a thrilling 4-3 victory in double overtime Friday night, spoiling the inaugural Kelly Cup Playoff game in Fuel franchise history. Following Sunday's Game 2, the best-of-seven series will shift to Indianapolis for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Thursday - and if necessary, Game 5 next Saturday.
Game 1 Recap: Tyler Barnes scored on a 3-on-2 rush just 1:33 into the second overtime period to swing the hotly-contested series opener toward the home team. Game 1 stretched beyond regulation after Indy rallied with two unanswered goals in the third period to erase a 3-1 Walleye advantage.
Matt Rupert, Josh Shalla and Brandon Anselmini scored for the Fuel in the club's postseason debut, while Christian Hilbrich picked up a pair of goals for the Walleye. Toledo forward Kyle Bonis tacked on a goal and two assists, including the primary assist on Barnes' overtime winner.
Out of the Frying Pan...: The Fuel got a full sampler of what playoff hockey can be on Friday night, in a game that featured speed, skill, physicality, and sudden-death overtime. Both the Fuel and Walleye had several chances to find the winner in the first overtime period, but goaltenders Étienne Marcoux and Pat Nagle were superb, stopping 12 and 11 shots apiece in the fourth period of play.
Counting the regular season, Friday was the third consecutive game between Indy and Toledo that was tied through regulation time, with the Walleye coming out on top each time.
Goalie Duel: One of the key matchups leading into the Central Division Semifinals was the one between the pipes, and Marcoux and Nagle did not disappoint in Game 1. Marcoux stopped 41 shots in his Kelly Cup Playoffs debut, while Nagle - a fellow ECHL All-Star - picked up the win with 43 saves.
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