NEAL AND THE FUEL WAS TOO STRONG FOR KWINGS
KALAMAZOO, MI - After a hard fought battle Wednesday night in Moline, IL. against the Quad City Mallards at the iWireless Center which resulted in a 4-3 overtime win for Kalamazoo on a tip-in goal by Kyle Bushee in the first twenty seconds. Kalamazoo comes home to host the Indiana Fuel for their 36th annual Green Ice game on St. Patty's day on Friday night for a sold out standing only crowd at Wings Event Center.
Both teams were fired up and ready to go midway in the opening period the Fuel were driven on a goal by Michael Neal's one-timer (assist from Shawn Hulshof) passed Kwings goalie Nick Riopel upper Corner giving Indy a 1-0 lead.
Kalamazoo answers right back 1 minute later on a goal by Cam Darcy's forehand chip shot ( assist from Lane Scheidl up the middle) lifted over the shoulder of Jake Hildebrand tying the game at 1-1.
With the Fuel in power play mode they score again 1:11 later on nifty skating and goal by Matt Rupert that trickled pass Riopel and over the line Indy goes up 2-1. But here comes Kalamazoo three minutes later they went into a power play of their own when Josh Pitt scores (caromed shot) game back tied 2-2.
Period 2 continued were period 1 left off with Kalamazoo land first blow in the power play, Tyler Biggs scores during a scramble for the loose puck off the rebound put Kalamazoo up 3-2. Indy regained the lead Josh Shalla found the back of the goal on a breakaway, and Neal high-slot snap shot (2nd of the night) now the Fuel out in front 4-3.
Kwings gets two goals within 24 seconds thanks to 2 assists by Cameron Darcy, one came by Peter Schneider which ties the game and another by Lane Scheidl (wrister shot) that gives Kalamazoo a 5-4 lead.
With five minutes left in regulation Indy ties the game at 5 a piece on goal by Jake Marchment and Neal gave the Fuel the go ahead score knocking in the puck during the face off in the Kwings zone giving him the hat trick and the Fuel wins a battle against the Kwings 6-5.
It was a back and forth series with 4 lead changes, Kalamazoo fought a hard battle only to lose the war, Kwings plans to get even with the Fuel as they travel to Indiana on Saturday. Kwings/Fuel at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum @ 7:30pm est.
