INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Despite sub-zero temperatures and dangerous wind chills, 3,661 fans came out to Indiana Farmers Coliseum to watch a Friday night, January 9, affair between the Indy Fuel and division-rival Cincinnati Cyclones. The contest was hard-hitting and highly entertaining as Indy fell to the Cyclones, 4-1.
Appearing rather tired the previous weekend, the Fuel were full of energy and looked like a different, refreshed team during this encounter. Boards were shaking, hits were 
plentiful, and skates were scraping ice as Indy was able to match the intensity level of Cincinnati. Even so, the ‘Clones struck first with D Chris Reed lighting the lamp for his 5th goal of the season on assists from Stephan Vigier and Branden Gracel at 6:39 of the opening session. At the first intermission, Cincinnati had outshot the Fuel, 12-6.
Photo by Mark Evrard
Unlike the previous week, this did not deter their efforts. Indy kept up the pressure and exhibited a lasting sense of urgency throughout the remainder of the match. They outgunned their I-74 adversaries after trailing 18-8 in shots and finished period two with a 10-9 edge. Still, Cincy took advantage of a power play opportunity when F Geoff Irwin tallied at the 4:41 mark for his 4th. Brian Nugent and Shayne Taker provided the assists for the Cyclones.
Photo by Mark Evrard
Impressively, Indy responded immediately in the final frame with newly-acquired F Nicklas Lindberg capturing his first in a Fuel sweater from Robert Czarnik only 37 seconds in. This cut the lead in half and gave the crowd a renewed passion for a potential Indy comeback. The Fuel dominated SOG with a 12-5 margin in the third period and completed the game with a 28-26 lead. Regardless, F David Pacan (5) answered for the Cylones two minutes after the Lindberg score and doused the impending fire. Irwin (5) rifled a short-handed empty-netter with only 57 seconds remaining to seal the deal. G Sam Brittain picked up the victory for Cincinnati while G Shane Owen took the defeat for Indy.
Photo by Mark Evrard
On Saturday in Toledo, Ohio, Indy again controlled the SOG, 33-24, but were downed by the ECHL # 3 power Walleye by a final of 4-2. Garett Bembridge (12) and Mike Duco (8) netted for the Indianapolis squad. Toledo was paced by Kyle Rogers (4), Anthony Luciani (18), Kyle Bonis (16) and Michael Leone (1). The winning goalie was Jeff Lerg with Mac Carruth taking the loss.
Sunday proved to be a much-needed breakthrough in ending the Fuel’s massive losing streak. They travelled to Wheeling, WV. and shut out the Nailers, 3-0, in picking up their first road victory in the history of the young franchise. Rhett Bly (6), Pete Massar (5), and Kirill Gotovets (4) provided the firepower as Indy scored one in each period. Shane Owen won in goal for Indy and Eric Hartzell accepted defeat for Wheeling. Indy is now 7-21-3-3 and are in seventh place in the North division with 20 points.
Next up for the Indy Fuel are battles in the Deep South with the Greenville Road Warriors on Thursday, January 15, and Friday, January 16. They face off against the South Carolina Stingrays the next night, Saturday, January 17, before closing out the road trip on Monday, January 19, with an early matinee. They return to Indiana Farmers Coliseum on Friday, January 23, for Retro Rewind night, as they take on the league’s # 2 team, the Allen Americans. The Hanson Brothers, of fictitious Charlestown Chiefs and classic “Slapshot” movie fame, will be on hand for pictures and autographs!
Photo by Mark Evrard
Photo by Mark Evrard
Photo by Mark Evrard
Photo by Mark Evrard
Photo by Mark Evrard
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