Indy Fuel Pit Stop – Week 4 (Oct. 29-Nov. 4, 2018)

INDY FUEL WEEK 4 RESULTS: (2-2-0-0, 5-4-0-0 Overall, 3rd Central Division)

Tuesday, October 30 - Fuel 3 vs. Idaho 5: A four-goal second period by the Idaho Steelheads proved to be the difference as the Fuel dropped a 5-3 decision at Indiana Farmers Coliseum to start a busy four-game week. Idaho found the net four times in a span of 4:21 in the second period to break open a 1-1 tie as Indy dropped its second game in a row. Radovan Bondra, Josh Shalla and Neil Manning scored for the Fuel, who received 29 saves from goaltender Matt Tomkins.

Thursday, November 1 - Fuel 4 vs. Utah 1: After a tough loss to Idaho, Indy rebounded by handing the Utah Grizzlies their first regulation loss of the 2018-19 season with a decisive 4-1 victory on Thursday night at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. A three-point night from Matt Rupert (2g, 1a) led the way for the Fuel, who improved to 4-2-0-0 on home ice with the win. Olivier Labelle (1g, 1a), Robert Powers (1g, 1a) and Ryan Rupert (2a) all contributed multiple points offensively, while goaltender Kevin Lankinen made 18 saves in his Indy debut.

Friday, November 2 - Fuel 2 at Fort Wayne 5: A slow start hindered the Fuel as they fell 5-2 to the Fort Wayne Komets on Friday night at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Fort Wayne tallied twice in the first and second periods to build a 4-0 lead before Neil Manning got Indy on the board with a power play goal late in the second period. Olivier Labelle added a second power play marker in the late stages of the game, but the Fuel fell to 0-2 on the season against their Hoosier State rivals.

Saturday, November 3 - Fuel 5 at Wheeling 3: Playing their fourth game in five nights, the Fuel rallied from an early deficit to record their first road victory of the season, defeating the Wheeling Nailers 5-3 Saturday on Opening Night at WesBanco Arena. After a pair of late first period goals helped Wheeling build a 2-0 lead, Indy scored five times in a span of 9:30 in the second period to take control of the contest. Josh Shalla marked a goal and two assists, while Kevin Dufour (2g), Connor Moynihan (1g, 1a) and Olivier Labelle (1g) also found the net for the Fuel. Kevin Lankinen won his second straight start in net, stopping 26 of 29 shots.

INDY FUEL WEEK 5 SCHEDULE:

Friday, November 9 - Fuel at Cincinnati (7:35 p.m. ET, U.S. Bank Arena)

Saturday, November 10 - Fuel vs. Cincinnati (7:35 p.m. ET, Indiana Farmers Coliseum)

PUCKS & PAWS presented by IBEW Local #481: A night dedicated to your four-legged friends? You heard right. Bring your pooch with you to Indiana Farmers Coliseum and watch your favorite team take on the Cincinnati Cyclones. Head to IndyFuelHockey.com/paws for more information and to grab tickets for you and your pupper.

OIL DROPS:

-The Fuel finished their stretch of four games in five nights with a 2-2-0-0 record, the first of two such stretches they face this season. Indy's Week 4 schedule is the busiest they will face until March, when the club plays six games over a nine-day span from March 8-16.

-Indy's five goal second period Saturday in Wheeling was the second time the team has put up five in a single frame this season, previously doing it in the second period of an 8-4 win over Kalamazoo on Oct. 13. Only one other team has scored five times in a single period through five weeks this season (Kalamazoo - Oct. 20).

-The Fuel have scored at least one power play goal in four of their last six games.

-Over the team's five victories this season, Indy has outscored its opponents by a 16-4 in the second period. The Fuel's overall +7 second period goal differential is the best mark in the ECHL.

-The Fuel play four of their next five games on the road, including a three-game trip to Utah from Nov. 14-17.

-Indy forward Josh Shalla (4g, 10a) is tied for fourth in league scoring with 14 points, and has registered a point in every game this season. Shalla is three games away from tying the Fuel's franchise longest point streak of 12, set by defenseman Robin Press from Feb. 14 to March 9, 2018.

-Forward Olivier Labelle has scored in three consecutive games, and has tallied a total of five points (3g, 2a) over the same span.

-Goaltender Kevin Lankinen won his first two ECHL starts after being reassigned to the Fuel, stopping 18 of 19 shots in Thursday's win over Utah before making 26 saves in Indy's road victory in Wheeling on Saturday

-Fuel defenseman Neil Manning registered points in five of his last six games (2g, 3a), earning his first AHL call-up on Sunday as he and Josh McArdle were recalled by the Rockford IceHogs.

-A total of four players in the IceHogs lineup on Sunday had seen action with the Fuel this season (Brett Welychka, Radovan Bondra, Neil Manning, Josh McArdle).

UPCOMING EVENTS & PROMOTIONS:

Pucks & Paws: Pucks & Paws returns to Indiana Farmers Coliseum on Saturday, November 10, presented by IBEW Local #481. In what is sure to be a dog-gone good time, fans are invited to bring their pooch with them as they watch the Fuel take on the Cincinnati Cyclones! For $20, fans will receive a human ticket, a dog ticket and a Fuel dog toy courtesy of IBEW Local #481. A portion of the proceeds of every pet package will benefit local animal assistance organizations. Additional human tickets will be available for $15 apiece. Visit IndyFuelHockey.com/paws to learn more and to purchase your tickets.

Indy Fuel 5K Benefitting Girls on the Run of Central Indiana: The Indy Fuel 5K returns to Witten Park on Fishers on Nov. 10, 2018! All participants will receive a free ticket to an upcoming Fuel home game. Visit IndyFuel5K.org for more information and to register!

MARVEL Super Hero™ Night: Some of your favorite heroes are coming to town to help the Fuel defeat the mischievous Kalamazoo Wings on MARVEL Super Hero™ Night on Saturday, November 24! Meet Star-Lord, Black Panther and Captain America, while the Fuel and Wings wear Guardians of the Galaxy-inspired uniforms. Bid on your favorite game-worn jersey during an in-game mobile auction powered by The Meigray Group.

TICKET INFORMATION:

Individual tickets for all Fuel home games at Indiana Farmers Coliseum are available at IndyFuelHockey.com, or by visiting the Indiana Farmers Coliseum box office. A variety of Ticket Plans are also still available for the 2018-19 season, call the Fuel ticket office at 317-925-FUEL for learn more today!

BROADCAST:

Catch every home game this season with a free online stream at IndyFuelHockey.com! Click the “Watch/Listen Live” button to hear Voice of the Fuel Andrew Smith bring you all of the action from Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Fans can also watch all 72 games at home and on the road live through ECHL.TV!

FOLLOW THE FUEL:

Don't forget to follow the Fuel on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (IndyFuel) for news, updates, contests and much more throughout the 2018-19 season! Join the Fuel's 5th Anniversary Celebration by using the hashtag #Fuel5 on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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