2017-18 Opponent Preview: The Indy Fuel

2017-18 Opponent Preview: The Indy Fuel

For Immediate Release: September 1, 2017

 

2017-18 OPPONENT PREVIEW

The Indy Fuel

The Cincinnati Cyclones will welcome in 14 different opponents to U.S. Bank Arena this season, and we are going to take a closer look at each one of these teams. First up, The Indy Fuel- ECHL affiliate of the Rockford IceHogs (AHL) and Chicago Blackhawks (NHL). The Fuel are the Cyclones' most frequent opponent this season, as the two sides will square off 10 times during the 2017-18 campaign. Also, after a one-year hiatus, Cincinnati and Indy will once again be division rivals, after the off-season realignment has the two teams in the Central Division together.  

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2017-18 Schedule vs. Cincinnati:

Home: 12/23, 12/30, 1/20, 2/20, 3/9, 4/6

Away: 1/26, 3/2, 3/16, 3/20

 

Last Season:

2016-17 Regular Season Record: 23-42-3-4, Sixth Place in the Central Division

 

2016-17 Leading Scorers:

Josh Shalla – 32g-28a-60p, 72GP

Alex Wideman – 22g-33a-55p, 70GP

Matt Rupert – 21g-16a-37p, 72GP

 

The Indy Fuel wrapped up their third season in the ECHL in fifth place in the Western Conference’s Central Division with a 23-42-3-4 record and 53 points. Despite the low finish in the standings, there were still many positives from last season for the Fuel. Back on January 21, the ECHL announced the 2018 CCM/ECHL All Star Classic was going to be held at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum- the home of the Fuel. This year’s All-Star Classic will feature a number of events surrounding the game, and will be attended by numerous NHL executives, including hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.

The offseason has been good to the Fuel as well, as they were named the recipients of the ECHL’s Social Media Award for being amongst the League leaders in audience size, number of impressions, and fan engagement across all social media channels.

 

History: 

The Fuel are entering their fourth season in the ECHL after being granted membership prior to the 2014-15 season. The city of Indianapolis has a rich history or minor professional and junior hockey dating all the way back to1939 with the Indianapolis Capitals. Even “The Great One”, Wayne Gretzky, has called Indianapolis home, suiting up for eight games with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association (WHA) back in 1978-79.

 The city has numerous championships in that time, including the Indianapolis Ice who were members of the International Hockey League (IHL) from 1988-1989, and Central Hockey League (CHL) from 1999-2004. The IHL Ice won the Turner Cup in 1990, while the CHL Ice earned the Ray Miron Cup in 2000. The team was later renamed the Indiana Ice and moved to the United States Hockey League (USHL), where they took home the Clark Cup in 2009 and 2014.

 

Arena:

Built in 1939 as the Livestock Pavilion, the Indiana Farmers Coliseum ranked among the largest and grandest structures of its time and type. It has been host to thousands of events, from National Livestock Shows, the ABA Indiana Pacers and their three Championships in four years in the early 1970’s, Hockey, and the only Indiana performance of the Beatles in 1964.

The Coliseum underwent a $53 million renovation in 2012, modernizing the iconic Indianapolis venue, and paving the way for a new era of sports and entertainment. In addition to serving as the home of the Fuel, they also host the NCAA’s IUPUI Jaguars. Indiana Farmers Coliseum hosts over 150 events and over one million guests annually with events ranging from professional sports, live music, family shows, Auto Auctions, and other special events.

The facility will also play host to the 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic

 

The march towards 2017 First Face-Off is ON! The Cincinnati Cyclones return to U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday, October 14, when they take on the Kalamazoo Wings. In the meantime, we invite you to stay tuned in the coming weeks for information on tickets and promotions for the 2017-18 season, great offseason events like Concrete Clones, player signings, and MORE! Call (513) 421-PUCK for information regarding Cyclones Season and Group Tickets, and you can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com