INDIANAPOLIS – Even after an electric second period in which Indy notched three goals, the Iowa Heartlanders proved to be the dominant team with a 5-3 win in the Fuel’s first ever visit to Xtream Arena.
The Fuel were awarded the game’s first power play less than two minutes into the opening frame but were unable to get the puck past Heartlanders’ goaltender Trevin Kozlowski. Iowa out shot Indy 8-2 during the first period but found themselves only up by one when it concluded after a goal from Jonathan Desbiens.
Luck seemed to lean more in Indy’s favor for most of the second twenty minutes. Keoni Texeira struck first to tie the game with a power play goal, his first of the season. The Heartlanders scored two consecutive goals in the latter half of the period, but Indy evened the score with goals from Mike Lee (also his first of the season) and Riley McKay three minutes apart. Iowa’s Kris Bennet scored a shorthanded goal with just one minute remaining in the second giving the Heartlanders their lead back 4-3.
Throughout the third period, the Fuel had to defend 10 total penalty minutes but managed to kill them all off. Despite three power play chances, they were unable to execute and tie the game again. The Heartlanders solidified their lead and secured their 5-3 win with only a minute and a half left in the game after an empty net goal from Cole Stallard.
Various ticket options are now on sale for the Fuel’s 8th season at Indiana Farmers Coliseum! Lock up your seat for every second of the action at Indiana Farmers Coliseum with a Fuel Ticket Plan – grab yours by heading to IndyFuelHockey.com or by calling the Fuel front office at 317-925-FUEL. Don’t forget to follow the Fuel on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (IndyFuel) for news, updates, contests and much more throughout the 2021-22 season.
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