Indy Close Out Three in Three Against Wheeling

REINVENT THE WHEEL: Having lost their second game in a row on Friday night, the Indy Fuel close out three games in three days against the Wheeling Nailers on Saturday. Hosting their annual Blackhawks Night, the Fuel will be looking to get back on the winning track and cement their spot in the final playoff position in the Central Division.

THE MATCHUP: Indy enters Friday night having lost two games in a row against teams from outside the Central Division. The Fuel have struggled against the Wheeling Nailers, failing to earn a win in all four previous matchups, most recently falling 3-2 in overtime on December 29. All four matchups between the Nailers and Fuel this season have been decided by one goal, with Wheeling putting a goal in the Fuel net in the final minutes of each game. The Nailers come into Friday's game having lost five out of their last six games, all but one of those games coming against teams from the Central Division.

TEAM LEADERS: Dealing with injuries and call-ups to the American Hockey League, Indy has had to get their scoring from unfamiliar places. Putting three goals on the board on Friday against Rapid City, the Fuel saw goals from players like Jake Schultz and Jack Ramsey. Leading the team through 38 games this season, Bobby MacIntyre has earned eight goals and 23 assists. Wheeling is led in points by forward Yushiroh Hirano. The fourth-year pro has earned 10 goals and 18 assists through 36 games in a Wheeling uniform.

GOALTENDER BATTLE: Starting the last three games for the Fuel, Dan Bakala has earned a 2.57 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage through five total games in a Fuel uniform. Signing with Indy on New Years Day, Bakala has since earned two wins in four starts in the ECHL. Splitting time with Bakala, Charles Williams has registered a 2.84 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage through 24 games in a Fuel uniform. Splitting the season, Alex D'Orio and Jordan Ruby have backstopped the Nailers through 39 games. Putting together a 3.26 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage, Jordan Ruby leads the Nailers in front of Alex D'Orio who has tallied a 3.76 goals-against average and a .879 save percentage through 18 games.

LOOKING AHEAD: Closing out three games in three days on Saturday night the Fuel will not play until January 24 and 25 after the 2020 ECHL All-Star Classic. Indy will close out the month of January with three games in three days against Central Division opponents Kalamazoo Wings, Cincinnati Cyclones and Toledo Walleye.