INDIANAPOLIS, IN – In their last home game of the 2016 calendar year Friday night, the Indy Fuel halted a 14-game winless spell as they came from behind to defeat the Cincinnati Cyclones, 3-2.Before the largest crowd of the season (5,294) at their home at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum, the Fuel overcame an early 2-0 first period deficit, 
scoring 3-consecutive, unanswered goals to claim their first win since November 23rd. The exciting comeback triumph also ended a 6-game losing streak on home ice.
Center Patrick D’Amico ignited the comeback counterattack crescendo with his third goal of the campaign 54 after the Cyclones had extended their advantage by a pair of goals. Before the opening stanza had concluded, center Kevin Lynch notched his eighth goal of the season at the 18:51 mark to equalize the contest at 2-2. Lynch’s strike was stoked following some impeccable headman passing between defenseman Matt Stanisz and linemate Alex Wideman with the former springing both Wideman and Lynch on a 2-on-1 jailbreak.
Left wing Ryan Keller – the recent recall from SPHL Peoria – emerged as the scoring hero, delivering an Indy power play strike at the 16:56 mark of the middle period to complete the comeback and seize the Fuel’s first and only lead they needed tonight.
Jake Hildebrand was stellar in goal for the victors, rebuffing 35 of 37 Cyclones shots including all 18 in a scoreless third period when Cincinnati outshot the Fuel, 18-1. With the win, Hildebrand halted a personal 6-game winless streak, posting his eighth victory of the season as he has accounted for 8 of his team’s 9 overall victories this season.
For the game, the Cyclones outshot the Fuel, 37-23. Seven of Indy’s 9-wins thus far this season have come when outshot by the opposition.
The same two teams will wage warfare in the rematch Saturday night as the Fuel spend New Year’s Eve in the Queen City for a 6:00 pm clash.
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