Morellis Cleaners Game Preview: Fuel at Beast
Game 20
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
11:00 a.m. – Powerade Centre – Brampton, Ontario
Broadcast Info: CBS Sports 1430, ECHL.TV, @IndyFuel
An early wake-up call is in store Wednesday morning for the Indy Fuel (8-9-1-1) as they take on the Brampton Beast (9-7-1-2) in a school day game at Powerade Centre. The 11 a.m. contest in Canada kicks off a season-long five game swing away from Indianapolis for the Fuel, who are looking to snap a four-game winless streak. Fans in the Circle City can catch the action north of the border by tuning into CBS Sports 1430 and ECHL.TV, or by following the Fuel on Twitter (@IndyFuel).
The morning showdown with the Beast in front of a building full of kids is the first of three games in a week-long trip for Indy. After Wednesday’s contest, the Fuel head to Pennsylvania for a Friday-Saturday doubleheader with the Reading Royals. Indy wraps up the five-game stretch outside of Indiana Farmers Coliseum next week with visits to Cincinnati on Thursday and Friday, returning home for the Teddy Bear Toss against Quad City on Saturday, Dec. 17.
The Fuel begin the road trip looking to snap a four-game winless streak dating back to Nov. 23, which included three consecutive setbacks on home ice. Indy dropped a 5-1 decision to the Cincinnati Cyclones on Friday night in the club’s last outing, which followed two straight losses to the Missouri Mavericks the previous weekend. Falling back to sixth place in the Central Division with 18 points, the Fuel trail the fifth place Wichita Thunder by a single point, but sit five back of the fourth-place Quad City Mallards.
A rested group after playing just one game over the last nine days, Indy looks to get its offense back on track in Ontario. After averaging 4.14 goals a game over a seven game unbeaten streak from Nov. 11-25, the Fuel have managed only one goal in each of their last three contests. The Fuel’s power play is also looking to break out of a recent lull, being held off the board in five straight games.
The trip to Brampton may be just what Indy’s offense needs to get itself going, as the Beast sport the ECHL’s worst team defense heading into Wednesday’s game, surrendering 4.11 goals per game. Prior to the club’s 3-2 overtime win over the Elmira Jackals on Sunday, Brampton gave up three or more goals in nine straight outings.
Defense aside, the Beast have won two of their last three games, following three straight road losses at the hands of the Orlando Solar Bears from Nov. 24-26. The ECHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens and St. John’s IceCaps host the Fuel for the fourth leg in an eight-game extended stay at Powerade Centre. With 21 points, Brampton currently resides in fifth place in the fiercly-competitive North Division, where each of the top five teams sport a winning record.
Inside the Matchup: Wednesday is the Fuel’s only trip to Powerade Centre this season, and their first-ever game played outside of the United States. Indy’s trip to Canada kicks off a five-game season series against the Beast, with each of the final four taking place at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Brampton will visit Indianapolis three times over a 13-day span beginning on Dec. 20, including games on Dec. 22 and New Year’s Day.
The Fuel lost their only prior encounter with the Beast heading into Wednesday’s game, a 3-1 contest on March 19 in Indy.
Who to Watch: Anthony Beauregard (5g, 5a) has points in four straight games (1g, 3a) and has found the scoresheet in five of his last six outings. The 21-year-old forward leads all Fuel rookies with 10 points … Forward Alex Wideman (9g, 10a) picked up his team-leading 10th assist of the season in the Fuel’s 5-1 loss to Cincinnati on Friday. Through 19 games Wideman leads Indy in goals, assists, points (19), game-winning goals (3) and shots-on-goal (67).
Beast forward David Pacan’s 23 points (11g, 12a) is tied for seventh-most in the ECHL. Pecan has picked up six goals and five assists over his previous nine outings … Forward David Vallorani (11g, 11a) has points in nine of his last 10 games, racking up 13 points over that span (7g, 6a) … Goaltender Zachary Fucale (6-3-0-0, 3.09 GAA, .887) has accounted for six Brampton’s nine victories on the season, and has won three of his last four starts.
Worth Noting: The Fuel have recorded at least a point in every game where they have scored three or more goals (6-0-1-1) … Brampton’s scoring offense is ranked fourth in the ECHL, scoring 3.74 goals per game … Indy is the only club that is yet to score a power play goal on the road (0/21) … Beast center Luke Pither has picked up four assists in his last three games … The Fuel signed goaltender Keegan Asmundson on Monday to fill the vacancy left with Jake Hildebrand’s recall to AHL Rockford. Asmundson recorded a 6-6-0-0 record, a 2.61 GAA and a .917 SV% in 13 appearances with the Fuel last season … Hildebrand made his AHL debut Saturday with the IceHogs, making 19 saves in two periods of relief. The rookie goaltender became the 19th player to reach the AHL after spending time in Indy … Brampton is 5-0-0-0 this season when leading after one period.
–ECHL MEDIA KIT–
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