INDY FUEL PIT STOP: WEEK 1

INDY FUEL WEEK 1 RESULTS: 2-0-0-0, 2-0-0-0 Overall (1st Central)

GAME 1 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 VS. FORT WAYNE KOMETS - 7-5 W

The Indy Fuel started their season off strong with a home win over Fort Wayne 7-5, in front of a crowd of 6,060. After falling behind by one goal early, the Fuel were able to turn it around and take home the win in a thrilling match their their in-state rivals. Chad Yetman, Bryan Lemos, and Jan Mandat, who earned first star of the game, all tallied two goals a piece. Alex Wideman opened the scoring for the Fuel with his one goal, and Riley McKay collected 11 penalty minutes in what was a very physical game. 

GAME 2 - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22 AT  KALAMAZOO - 5-3 W

After their first win, the Fuel headed to Kalamazoo for their second win of the season, defeating the Wings 5-3 after giving up the first goal again. Six of the eight goals scored in this game were on the power play, with Iacopelli opening the scoring for Kalamazoo and again, Wideman striking first for the Fuel. Kale Howarth scored back to back goals before Chase Lang and Spencer Watson were able to tack on goals as well to secure the win for Indy.

WELCOME BACK WIDES

Along with his two goals in two games, Wideman can add five assists to his opening weekend resume. That count earned him ECHL Player of the Week for the second time in his career as he is currently the league leader in points. After playing overseas for three years, he didn't miss a beat coming back to the ECHL. All we have to say is...welcome back, Wides! 

ROSTER MOVES

• Riley McKay was traded by the Rockford IceHogs to the Laval Rocket in exchange for future considerations on 10/26.
• Goaltender Zach Driscoll was signed by the Fuel on 10/24.

OIL DROPS 

• Alex Wideman is just three assists away from tying the Fuel franchise assists record of 73, currently held by Joshua Shalla. 
• Keoni Texeira is just two assists behind Wideman with 68 as well.
• Spencer Watson is just three goals away from tying the Fuel franchise record of 80, currently held by Joshua Shalla.
• Spencer Watson is also 10 points away from tying the Fuel franchise record of 153, currently held by Joshua Shalla.
• In his first two regular season ECHL games played, Mitchell Weeks is 2-0 with a save percentage of .867.
• Cam Bakker leads Fuel defensemen with two assists, and a +\- of 3 after the first weekend. 

TEAM NOTES

• Of their 12 goals scored, six of them came on the power play. 
• With 11 power plays so far this season, the Fuel have a PP success rate of 55%.
• The Fuel are currently in first place in the Central Division, tied with the Toledo Walleye in wins but have three more goals scored.
• With an average age of 24.70, the Fuel have the fifth youngest team in the league. 

INDY FUEL WEEK 2 SCHEDULE

• GAME 3 - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29 AT  READING
• GAME 4 - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30 AT  READING

BROADCAST 

Catch every home game this season with a free online radio stream at IndyFuelHockey.com! Click the “Watch/Listen Live” button to hear Andrew Smith bring you all of the action from Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Fans can also watch all 72 games at home and on the road live through FloSports! 

ABOUT THE INDY FUEL:

The Indy Fuel, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks and the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs, have returned to Indiana Farmers Coliseum for their ninth season. They return home on Friday, November 4 for Military Appreciation Night vs the Iowa Heartlanders. Check out all the Fuel’s promotions, theme nights and get your tickets now HERE.

Don’t forget to follow the Fuel on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and YouTube for news, updates, contests and much more.

--INDYFUELHOCKEY.COM