FIRST TIME VISIT: In the third matchup between the two teams the Fort Wayne Komets visit the Indy Fuel for the first time at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Coming off of 2-1 overtime win against the Cincinnati Cyclones the Indy Fuel will play their second game in a row against a Central Division opponent. Fort Wayne enters Friday starting back to back games against Central Division opponents of their own, playing Friday against the Fuel and Saturday against the Kalamazoo Wings.
THE MATCHUP: The Fuel have met the Komets twice this season, winning 4-3 in overtime in their previous matchup. Indy will be playing their second game in a row and third this week on Friday night. After winning two in a row against Central Division teams, Indy has the chance to put themselves in a playoff spot with a win over Fort Wayne. The Komets enter Friday's game having lost eight straight games but have earned points in three out of the eight.
TEAM LEADERS: Forward Spencer Watson leads Fuel in points this season, appearing in 31 games with the Fuel, registering 17 goals and 18 assists. Having earned 35 points, Watson is currently tied for 5th in the ECHL in points. Nine points behind Watson in points, Bobby MacIntyre leads the team in assists, earning 19 through 32 games in a Fuel uniform. Returning from a pro tryout agreement with the Cleveland Monsters, Komets leading scorer Brady Shaw has earned 11 goals and 21 assists in 25 games with Fort Wayne. Trailing behind Shaw in points, Shawn Szydlowski has appeared in 27 games with the Komets this season, earning eight goals and 22 assists.
GOALTENDER BATTLE: Appearing in 22 games for the Fuel and earning a 2-1 win over the Cincinnati Cyclones on Thursday, Charles Williams has earned a 2.80 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. Williams has won back to back games and earned wins in three out of his last five games leading into Friday night. Appearing in the past three games with the Komets, Dylan Ferguson has earned a 4.19 goals-against average and .862 save percentage through 9 games with Fort Wayne. Cole Kehler has appeared in 15 games with the Komets this season, earning a 3.20 goals-against average and a .889 save percentage.
LOOKING AHEAD: The Fuel will host the Fort Wayne Komets on Friday night before traveling to Toledo for their third game in three days on Saturday. Following Saturday's game in Toledo, Indy will not play until January 10 when they play back-to-back games against the Walleye.