Fuel open three game series in Florida against Everblades

GAME PREVIEW: FUEL AT EVERBLADES

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 7:305 P.M.

GERMAIN ARENA - ESTERO, FLA.

BROADCAST INFO: 1070TheFan.com, ECHL.TV

The Story: The Indy Fuel (1-1-1-0) kick off a three-game series with the Eastern Conference-leading Florida Everblades (4-0-0-0) Wednesday night at Germain Arena. The first of four straight road games for the Fuel is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop from Southern Florida.

Indy heads back on the road after picking up its first victory of the season Saturday by virtue of a thrilling 3-2 shootout victory over the Tulsa Oilers on Opening Night at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Rookie goaltender Matt Tomkins stopped 29 shots in his professional debut and was a perfect 3-for-3 in the breakaway competition, while forward Alex Wideman tabbed the game-deciding shootout goal for the Fuel.

With three points through three games, Indy enters Week 3 of the ECHL season in fifth place in the Central Division standings. However, the Fuel are only one point behind Fort Wayne, Toledo and Kansas City - who are all tied for second with a 2-1-0-0 record, with Kalamazoo leading the way with a 3-0-0-0 mark.

This week, the Indy faces a tough obstacle in the undefeated Everblades. Florida enters Wednesday's action with a blemish-free 4-0-0-0 record, all their victories coming against the Atlanta Gladiators. After an opening weekend sweep on home ice, the Everblades won twice in Duluth, Ga. last weekend, defeating the Gladiators 4-2 and 5-1.

Got That Special (Teams) Feeling: After the first two weeks of the 2017-18 ECHL season, the Fuel have excelled on both the power play and penalty kill. Through three games, Indy has capitalized on five of their 17 advantages, ranking fourth in the league (29.4%), while their shorthanded group remains a perfect 13-for-13. Ryan Rupert and Geoff Walker both tallied power play goals in the Fuel's victory over Tulsa on Saturday.

Going Streaking: Forwards Geoff Walker (2g, 2a) and Cam Reid (4a) have each factored in all three games to start the season, sharing the team scoring lead with four points apiece. All four of Reid's assists have come on the power play, more than any other player in the ECHL.

Working Overtime: Saturday marked the Fuel's second straight game that required more than 60 minutes to find a winner. Indy is one of six teams who have played in multiple overtime games so far; the Fuel have played the fewest games past regulation in each of their las two seasons.

Keeping it 100: Forward Ryan Rupert tucked away his 100th career goal against the Oilers on Opening Night at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Making his professional debut during the 2015-16, Rupert has played in a combined total of 205 games within the AHL and ECHL.

Inside the Matchup: The Indy Fuel and Florida Everblades are meeting for the first time since the 2014-2015 season where Florida swept a three games season series. During the Fuel's last trip to Germain Arena, the Fuel dropped a 5-4 shootout to the Everblades on December 13, 2014.

Scouting Report: The Everblades welcome the Fuel after winning four straight games against Atlanta to start the season, outscoring them 16-7. The Everblades boast five players who enter Wednesday on a four game point-scoring streak, including forwards Mitchell Heard (3g, 5a), who is tied for second in ECHL scoring, Michael Kirkpatrick (2g, 2a), and John McCarron (1g, 4a). Defenseman Clark Seymour also hopped on the streak train for Florida by tallying one goal and five assists.

ECHL MEDIA KIT