Fuel try to defend home ice in rematch with Komets

GAME PREVIEW: FUEL VS. KOMETS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 - 7:35 P.M.

INDIANA FARMERS COLISEUM, INDIANAPOLIS

TICKETS: TICKETMASTER, INDIANA FARMERS COLISEUM BOX OFFICE

BROADCAST INFO: 1070THEFAN.COM, ECHL.TV

The Story: After falling Friday in Allen County, the Indy Fuel (8-12-2-1) aim to salvage a split from a weekend doubleheader with the Fort Wayne Komets (14-7-2-0) in Saturday's rematch at Indiana Farmers Coliseum.

It's Family Movie Night presented by Somerset CPAs - fans can meet actor Chauncey Leopardi (better known as Squints from The Sandlot), while catching a free screening of The Sandlot after the game. Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster or at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum box office.

The Komets used a late go-ahead goal and two empty net tallies to claim the first leg of a home-and-home series 5-2 Friday night at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Michael Neal and Nick Bligh potted second period goals to send the game into the third period at a 2-2 deadlock.

Home Ice Dominance: While points have been hard to come by on the road for the Fuel, they have settled into a groove as of late in their own building. Indy kicks off a three-game homestand Saturday with four straight wins at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, matching the club's longest home winning streak from last season (Nov. 18-23, 2016). The Fuel need three more wins to match their franchise record of seven home victories in a row, set from Jan. 17 to Feb. 6 back in the 2015-16 season.

Neiled It: With another goal on Friday, Fuel forward Michael Neal (9g, 3a) continued his recent offensive tear. The Fuel's second-period tally in Fort Wayne was his team-leading ninth of the season, and his eighth in nine games. In the nine-game stretch since Nov. 24, Neal has tallied 10 total points (8g, 2a) and a +4 rating.

Inside the Matchup: Saturday marks the third of nine meetings between the Hoosier State rivals in 2017-18, the second of six at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. The Komets scored three unanswered third period goals to grab a 4-2 victory in their previous visit to the Circle City on Nov. 24. Indy holds a 5-8-0-3 all-time record on home ice against Fort Wayne, including a 1-2-0-2 mark last season.

Scouting Report: Leading scorer Shawn Szydlowski (11g, 16a) has tallied a goal and an assist in each of his last two outings ... In two games against Indy this year, forward Gabriel Desjardins (9g, 8a) has three goals and two assists, including two goals Friday in Fort Wayne.

ECHL MEDIA KIT