Cyclones Roll Past Fuel 7-1 in Second Straight Matchup at Fishers Event Center

LarryInFishers.com

The Indy Fuel fell 7-1 to the Cincinnati Cyclones Saturday night at the Fishers Event Center, as Cincinnati controlled the game from the middle of the first period on.

After a quiet start in which both teams generated few chances, the Cyclones broke through at 9:38 of the first period on a goal by Zack Trott. Less than three minutes later, Aaron Bohlinger extended the lead to 2-0.

Tensions rose late in the opening frame when Fuel captain Chris Cameron and Cincinnati’s Nick Rhéaume exchanged roughing penalties at 18:41, with Cameron assessed a double minor. The Cyclones took advantage, adding a power-play goal by Ryan Kirwan to take a 3-0 lead into the first intermission.

Indy opened the second period with a power play but was unable to close the gap. Trott struck again at 4:27 for his second goal of the night, pushing Cincinnati ahead 4-0.

The period grew more physical at 6:15 when Indy’s Harrison Israels and Cincinnati’s Andrew Noel dropped the gloves, each earning five-minute fighting majors. Cameron later took a tripping penalty, but the Fuel penalty killers held strong.

Cincinnati added to its lead at 11:32 when Lincoln Griffin intercepted a pass and scored on a breakaway moments after leaving the penalty box, making it 5-0. Despite several overlapping penalties late in the period, neither team converted, and the Cyclones carried a 5-0 lead and a 16-11 shot advantage into the second intermission.

Just 1:34 into the third, Cameron and Cincinnati’s Cole Fraser fought, resulting in matching five-minute majors. The Cyclones added a sixth goal only seconds later, with Luke Grainger scoring at 1:48.

The penalties continued to pile up, including a roughing minor against Indy’s Kevin Lombardi, a delayed penalty against Cincinnati, and a tripping call to Ben King, but neither side converted on special teams.

Indy broke the shutout at 11:13 when Michael Marchesan scored his first goal of the season, assisted by Jordan Martin and Dustin Manz, cutting the deficit to 6-1.

Cincinnati answered at 14:54 with a goal from Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, closing out the 7-1 final. Despite the loss, the Fuel finished with a slight edge in shots, 25-24.