SECOND CHANCE: After losing the first matchup between the two teams, Indy will travel to Fort Wayne for the second time this season to take on the Komets. Indy enters Friday night's matchup having won four games out of their last five and only having lost twice since November 29. Fort Wayne comes into Friday's contest having lost three of their last five games.
THE MATCHUP: Indy has only met the Komets at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum once this season, falling 5-3. In five years as a franchise, the Fuel have struggled to string together wins at Fort Wayne, earning a record of 5-11-3-0. Prior to Friday's game, Indy sits in 5th in the Central Division, fighting to get into the fourth playoff spot, while Fort Wayne is tied with Toledo for the second playoff spot in the division.
TEAM LEADERS: Skating in 25 games with the Fuel this season, Spencer Watson sits in fourth in the ECHL in points, earning 14 goals and 17 assists. The goal scoring winger is currently riding a 14-game point streak, tallying seven goals and 12 assists over the 14 games. Collecting five goals and eight assists, Watson is tied for second in the ECHL in power play points. Holding the third place position in the league, scoring 11 goals and 21 assists, Brady Shaw leads the Fort Wayne Komets in points heading into Friday's matchup. Shaw is riding an eight-game home point streak, dating back to October 26.
NETMINDER BATTLE: Winning his fifth start in a row on Saturday, Charles Williams has a 2.62 goals against average and .915 save percentage through 16 games in a Fuel uniform. Williams started the last meeting between the two teams, giving up five goals and making 22 saves against a hot Fort Wayne team. Backstopping the Komets, Cole Kehler has earned a 2.90 goals against average and a .898 save percentage through 12 games in a Fort Wayne uniform. Kehler enters Friday having lost three out of his last four starts, giving up 16 goals in those four games.
LOOKING AHEAD: Indy will face two Central Division opponents on Friday and Saturday before the Christmas break. Taking on the Komets on Friday night, the Fuel will host the Toledo Walleye on Saturday for their fourth matchup out of 13 this season. Immediately following the holiday break, Indy will play four games in five days from December 27 to December 31.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers