Fuel explode for season-high six goals in win over Kalamazoo

(By Terry Ficorelli)

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indy Fuel exploded for a season-high 6-goals Friday night and defeated the Kalamazoo Wings at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum, 6-2. In the process, the Fuel brought to a halt a 7-games' winless streak as they posted their first victory since October 27th.

High-flying right wing Nathan Noel ignited the Fuel offensive assault with a pair of electrifying shorthanded goals 3:43 apart while center Cam Reid delivered the ultimate game winning goal to catapult the victors into a 3-1 lead at the first intermission; though Indy was outshot, 18-6 as the Wings were the recipients of 6 power play advantages with 5 of those coming consecutively. The 3-goal opening period uprising represented the Fuel's first 3-goals of the first period on home ice this season.

The two teams traded goals in the middle stanza with Nick Bligh connecting on his team-best 6th of the season on a crafty assist from Reid, who authored a masterful 3-points performance for the hometown team.

The Fuel completed their command performance with 2-unanswered third period strikes with Alex Wideman notching his team-high 3rd power play goal of the campaign and 5th of the season before Tommy Olczyk found the empty net for his 4th.

First-year goaltender Etienne Marcoux posted his first pro win with a stellar 45-saves masterpiece as the Wings outshot the Fuel, 47-23. Ironically, the 47-shots were the second most surrendered by the Fuel thus far this season while their 23-shots were their fewest of the year.

The Indy special teams shined Friday night as the power play ended an 0-19 drought, going 1-3 with two of those man advantages short-circuited due to Fuel infractions. Kalamazoo was 1-11, being presented with a bevy of opportunities. The Fuel opponents are only 1 for the last 17 and 2 for the last 25 with the extra man.

The Friday victory not only halted the Fuel 7-game winless slide; 7(0-5-2), but it also severed a 3-game losing skein at home where the club had not gained a victory since back on opening night, October 21st in the form of a 3-2 OTSO success over Tulsa. In addition, the victory was the Fuel's first in 6-games this season against their own Western Conference Central Division and their first win in 7-games for the month of November.

Game three of the 6-games' home stand is set for Saturday night at 7:35 pm at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum where the Fuel will host the Tulsa Oilers on Marvel Super Heroes Night.

Single-Game tickets are now available for the entire 2017-18 Fuel season at Indiana Farmers Coliseum! Fans can also take advantage of a wide variety of Ticket Plans by calling 317-925-FUEL or visiting IndyFuelHockey.com. Don't miss a second of the action during the 2017-18 season - follow the Fuel on Twitter and Instagram (@IndyFuel) and ‘Like' the Fuel on Facebook.

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