Indy Visits Cincinnati for Second of Three Games on the Weekend

SECOND CHANCES: Taking the first loss of the weekend on Thursday to the Kalamazoo Wings, the Fuel will travel to Cincinnati for the second time this season on Friday night. The Fuel holds the 2019-20 season record with a 4-3-0-0 record in the seven matchups between the teams. In the only matchup at Heritage Bank Center this season, the Fuel fell 3-2 to the Cyclones on November 23.

THE MATCHUP: Indy has met the Cyclones seven times this season, six out of the seven matchups coming at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Over the past five years, the Fuel have played 21 games at the Heritage Bank Center (previously US Bank Arena), putting up a record of 6-15-0-0. Holding the season record at 4-3-0-0, the Fuel have won two out of the last three matchups, most recently defeating the Cyclones 2-1 in overtime on January 2nd.

POINTS LEADERS: Since returning to the Fuel lineup on January 24th, Spencer Watson has tallied three goals and one assist in three games. The third-year pro has earned 23 goals and 20 assists through 36 games this season, putting him on pace for a career-high in goals and points this season. Leading the Cyclones and sitting in seventh in the league in points, Jese Schultz has earned 19 goals and 27 assists through 43 games in a Cincinnati uniform this season. Schultz has played in all seven games between the two teams, earning two goals and a minus-3 rating.

GOALTENDER BATTLE: Due to a recent call-up the Cyclones are without their top goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on Friday night, leaving Michael Houser as the goaltender to watch on Friday. Houser has appeared in two games against the Fuel this season, earning a 1-1 record and a 2.02 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage. Through 15 games in Cyclones uniform, Houser has registered a 2.45 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage. Appearing in four games against Cincinnati, Charles Williams has earned a 1.24 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage. Splitting the games with Williams, Chase Marchand has played in three games, earning one win and two losses, while giving up seven goals in the three games.

LOOKING AHEAD: Closing out the month of January this weekend, the Fuel are in the middle of three games in three days against Central Division opponents Kalamazoo Wings, Cincinnati Cyclones and Toledo Walleye. Playing their fourth game in five days on Tuesday, Indy will play three more games next weekend starting with the Tulsa Oilers on February 7th.