Indy Hosts I-69 Rival Fort Wayne

GOING ON 40: In their 40th game of the season, the Indy Fuel host I-69 rival Fort Wayne Komets for the second time this year. The Fuel have put up a 1-2-0-0 record against the Komets this season, losing the only matchup between the two at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Fort Wayne enters Friday night having struggled to put together consistent wins, their last back-to-back wins coming on January 3rd and 4th.

THE MATCHUP: The Fuel come into Friday night with four wins in their last six games, although only winning one game in three games last weekend. Having only earned one win against the Komets in overtime on December 20th, the Fuel will be looking to put themselves at an even record against Fort Wayne on Friday. The Komets hold the record between the two over the last five seasons, earning a record of 15-7-1-0 at Indiana Farmers Coliseum.

TEAM LEADERS: With multiple players returning from the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs, the Fuel see the return of points leader Spencer Watson on Friday night. Watson leads the team in both goals and points, putting up 20 goals, 19 assists through 33 games in a Fuel uniform. Leading the Komets through 39 games this season, Brady Shaw has earned 16 goals and 28 assists in 44 games this season. Shaw is followed closely by forward Brett McKenzie who has earned 15 goals and 23 assists through 36 games as a Komet.

GOALTENDER BATTLE: Starting the last four games for the Fuel, Dan Bakala has earned a 2.27 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage through six games in a Fuel uniform. 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 as well as holding the lead in wins at 13. Cole Kehler has appeared in the last four games for the Komets, earning two wins and two losses, most recently falling in overtime to the Toledo Walleye. Kehler has split his time with Patrick Munson and Dylan Ferguson, with Munson earning five wins and Ferguson earning two of his own.

LOOKING AHEAD: The Fuel will host the Komets on Friday and Atlanta Gladiators before closing out the month of January with three games in three days against Central Division opponents Kalamazoo Wings, Cincinnati Cyclones and Toledo Walleye.