FUEL FALL TO WICHITA THUNDER ON FRIDAY NIGHT

INDIANAPOLIS- The Fuel hosted the Wichita Thunder for the first time since 2022 on Friday night for Hockey is for Everyone Night at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Ultimately, the Fuel fell 4-1 to the Thunder who they face again tomorrow night.

1ST PERIOD

At 6:28, Indy’s Brett Bulmer took the game’s first penalty for slashing but the Fuel quickly killed it off. 

Wichita struck first at 10:07 with a goal by Jay Dickman to put the Thunder up 1-0. Less than thirty seconds later, they added to their lead with a goal by Kobe Walker. 

Nolan Kneen took a holding penalty at 10:51, however the Thunder were able to kill it off. 

At 16:55, Indy’s Victor Hadfield sat for two minutes for slashing but the Fuel killed off the penalty and the period ended soon after. 

Indy outshot Wichita 12-5 in the first period, despite being down 2-0.

2ND PERIOD

At 6:24, Nick Nardella was called for hooking, giving the Fuel a power play opportunity but they could not capitalize on it.

Matus Spodniak took a penalty for high sticking at 9:06, however the Fuel killed off that penalty as well. 

Former Fuel defenseman, Shane Kuzmeski took a slashing penalty at 16:40 giving the Fuel an important power play opportunity, however less than a minute into the penalty, Fuel captain Seamus Malone took a tripping penalty. 

This forced about a minute of 4-on-4 hockey but no goals were scored.

After the period ended, things got chippy between Matus Spodiak and Wichita’s Brayden Watts and they each got a cross checking penalty and slashing penalty respectively to be served in the final period.

3RD PERIOD

Bulmer broke the shutout with an even-strength goal at 3:06, assisted by Kale Howarth and Matt Cairns. 

At 4:27, Jeremy Masella took a hooking call but Wichita was about to kill off the penalty before scoring to make it 3-1 at 8:16. This time, it was Mitchell Russell.

With two minutes to go in the frame, the Fuel pulled Driscoll from goal and at 18:23, Wichita’s Watts scored on the empty net to make it 4-1 which is how the game would end despite the Fuel vastly outshooting the Thunder 43-23.

The Indy Fuel are back in action at Indiana Farmers Coliseum tomorrow on February 24, 2024 against the Wichita Thunder for Made in America & First Responders Night. Tickets are available HERE. 

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, are back at Indiana Farmers Coliseum for their tenth season. Check out all the Fuel’s promotions, theme nights and get your tickets now HERE. 

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--INDYFUELHOCKEY.COM--