Fuel begin homestand with showdown against first-place Walleye

FANIMATION GAME PREVIEW: FUEL VS. WALLEYE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21 - 7:05 P.M.

INDIANA FARMERS COLISEUM, INDIANAPOLIS

TICKETS: TICKETMASTER, INDIANA FARMERS COLISEUM BOX OFFICE

BROADCAST INFO: INDYFUELHOCKEY.COM, ECHL.TV

THE MATCHUP: The Indy Fuel (7-7-0-0) kick off a three-game homestand at Indiana Farmers Coliseum Wednesday night as they take on the Central Division-leading Toledo Walleye (11-1-1-0). Puck drop from Central Indiana is set for 7:05 p.m. ET, with tickets still available by visiting IndyFuelHockey.com or the Indiana Farmers Coliseum box office.

Sitting at an even 5-5-0-0 over their last 10 games, the Fuel are looking to string a few wins together on home ice this week against a trio of divisional foes. Following Wednesday's tilt with the Walleye, Indy will welcome Cincinnati and Kalamazoo for a post-Thanksgiving back-to-back on Friday and Saturday.

The Fuel and Walleye square off for the second of eight meetings in 2018-19, and the second of four taking place in the Circle City. Indy picked up a thrilling overtime victory in the series opener, rallying in the last minute of regulation before winning 4-3 on Oct. 20 at Indiana Farmers Coliseum.

LAST TIME OUT: A 30-save shutout from goaltender Joe Cannata helped the Utah Grizzlies to a 4-0 victory over the Fuel on Saturday, giving the Grizzlies a 2-1 edge in the three-game set at Maverik Center. Four different skaters found the net for Utah, which scored twice in the second and third period to secure the victory. Jason Pawloski made his second start of the season for Indy, stopping 20 of 24 shots.

DRAWING A BLANK: Saturday's loss to the Grizzlies marked the first time in over 580 days that the Fuel were held off the scoreboard in a game. The setback snapped a streak of 89 consecutive games (including playoffs) where Indy had scored at least a goal. Indy's previous shutout came during a 10-0 loss to Toledo on April 8, 2017 - the final day of the 2016-17 season.

HOME COOKING: The Fuel have fared well at the Indiana State Fairgrounds so far this season, starting the 2018-19 campaign with a 5-2 record in their own building. Indy has won two straight and five of its last six games at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, including a 4-1 mark against Central Division foes. Following this week's tripleheader on home ice, the Fuel will play five of their next six on the road through Dec. 9, before playing 10 of 13 at home from Dec. 14 to Jan. 11.

FLYING FISH: In order to continue the club's success on home ice, Indy has to find a way to cool off a blazing-hot Toledo squad. Since falling to the Fuel in overtime on Oct. 20, the Walleye have rattled off 10 straight victories, claiming first place in the Central Division and breaking a franchise record in the process. Winners of six straight games on the road, Toledo has scored the first goal in nine consecutive outings dating back to a visit to Cincinnati on Oct. 24. Forwards Shane Berschbach (8g, 11a) and T.J. Hensick (6g, 13a) both pace the Walleye with 19 points apiece, while goaltenders Pat Nagle (7-0-1) and rookie Kaden Fulcher (4-1-0) have split duties between the pipes.