FIRST TIME HOST: In the first of three games in three days this weekend, the Indy Fuel host the South Division's second place team Florida Everblades. Indy enters Thursday night's matchup having won five out of their last six games, most recently winning back to back games against the Toledo Walleye. Florida visits Indiana Farmers Coliseum for the second time in franchise history on Thursday having lost three out of their last five games.
THE MATCHUP: Indy has only met the Everblades three times in franchise history, earning a 1-2-0-0 record. Indy previously spent four games on the road facing South Division teams in early November, putting together a 0-4-0-0 record but losing all four games by one goal apiece. Florida has only played once at Indiana Farmers Coliseum in the Fuel's six-year history but have put together a 2-2-0-0 record against Central Division teams this season.
TEAM LEADERS: Indy's top point earner Spencer Watson is currently enjoying time in the American Hockey League so picking up where Watson left off is forward Bobby MacIntyre. MacIntyre is the only player to have appeared in all 36 of Indy's games, tallying eight goals and 21 assists. Behind MacIntyre, Alex Krushelnyski has appeared in 20 games with the Fuel, earning 10 goals and 15 assists. With 33 points each, Blake Winiecki and John McCarron are tied for the team lead in points for the Everblades. Winiecki is tied with Justin Auger with 15 goals through 38 games this season as an Everblade.
GOALTENDER BATTLE: Playing in 24 games for the Fuel this season, Charles Williams has earned a 2.84 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage. Williams is coming off of a shootout win in Toledo where he stopped 38 of 41 shots from the Walleye. Appearing in two games for the Fuel since signing on January 1. The native of Calgary, Alberta, Bakala has earned a 1.72 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage. Appearing in the last four games for the Everblades Ken Appleby has registered a 2.72 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage through 28 games. Splitting time with Appleby, Tom McCollum has appeared in 14 games for the Everblades this season earning a 3.23 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage
LOOKING AHEAD: Opening three games in three days on Thursday against the Florida Everblades, Rapid City Rush and Wheeling Nailers, the Fuel will not play until January 24 and 25 after the 2020 ECHL All-Star Classic.
--IndyFuelHockey.com--
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