2017-18 FUEL PERFORMANCE REVIEW: MATT RUPERT
#20 | FORWARD | GRAND BEND, ONT.
2017-18 STATS: 71 GP, 19 G, 21 A, 40 PTS, 90 PIM, 4 PPG, 4 GWG
After potting 21 goals during his first season with the Fuel in 2016-17, forward Matt Rupert returned to the Circle City with his twin brother Ryan in tow. Playing on the same team as his brother for the first time since 2014-15, Matt turned in another successful season for the Fuel, setting a new career high-mark with 40 points in 71 games.
Each boasting a combination of skill, energy and tenacity, the Rupert twins joined forces to make up a forward unit that could produce points while wearing down and frustrating the opposition. Recording multiple points on seven different occasions in 2017-18, Matt was at his best when the stakes were at their highest - recording three goals and one assist over Indy's final five games in the regular season.
In addition to his offensive contributions, Matt was once again one of Bernie John's go-to players in defensive situations. The native of Grand Bend, Ontario was named the Fuel's Penalty Killer Award recipient for the second straight season. One of the most durable players in franchise history, Rupert has dressed in all but one game during his two seasons in Indianapolis.
"Everyone knows what Matt could do from last year, and again if he wasn't so snake-bitten at times he could have had 25 goals for us. He brings a 200-foot game, and plays with a lot of grit - he's a real smart player. His line with the two Ruperts and [Johnny] McInnis was greasy but really skilled as well. " - Head Coach Bernie John
For you bar trivia aficionados - the first playoff goal in #IndyFuel history belonged to @matt_rupert46.
It was a pretty awesome one too. #INDvsTOL #FindYourNextGear pic.twitter.com/fujyDIM1qy
— Indy Fuel (@IndyFuel) April 14, 2018
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