RAPID CITY- Ryan Ouellette had 22 saves in his first game since November 7th. Even with another 40+ shot night, the Fuel fell to the Rush 4-2 on Saturday.  

1ST PERIOD

The Fuel once again got off to a hot start at The Monument, but it was paused by a Jadon Joseph slashing penalty at 15:23.

The penalty was successfully killed off; however, eight seconds later, Rapid City’s Rasmus Ekström netted his eighth goal of the season, assisted by Davis and Smedsrud. 

A little over a minute after the Rapid City goal, Xavier Bernard takes a delay of the game penalty at 13:08.
Sahil Panwar tied up the game at 12:17 but the goal was overturned for goaltender interference. Indy would have the next seven shots on goal. 

Tyler Paquette nets his first full-strength goal of the season at the 4:53 mark, assisted by Matt Petgrave and Nick Grima. Petgrave’s assist marked his 20th point of the season.

After the goal, there were some post-goal discussions, and Rapid City’s Ryan Chyzowksi was called for roughing. 

There would be no more scoring for the rest of the period. Indy outshot Rapid City 15-5 in the first.

2ND PERIOD

The first half of the period was steady with lots of end-to-end action. The Fuel continued to make strides, suppressing Rapid City to limited shots.

At 9:31, Blake Bennett would net his first of the night, assisted by Cameron Buhl and Chase Pauls. Just four minutes later, he netted his second, assisted by Davis and Bernard. 

With 4:33 left, Rapid City’s Buhl would take a tripping minor. Indy would not have a single shot during the power play.

However, with 1:20 remaining in the second, Eric Martin nets his first professional goal unassisted. 

Buhl takes another penalty, this time for delay of game with 1:17 left in the second. Indy still outshot the Rush 30-12.

3RD PERIOD

Rapid City, with the first five shots of the period, continues with a Fuel penalty. Marchesan headed to the box for hooking with 15:04 left. The Rush were unable to capitalize on the penalty. 

Another Rush delay of game penalty with 10:13 left, former Fuel player Connor Joyce serves it.

Ouellette was pulled for the extra attacker with 1:03 left. The extra attacker was unsuccessful as Brett Davis netted the empty netter, assisted by Joyce, with 0:42 seconds left. 

Indy widely outshot Rapid City 46-25 but fell 4-2. 

Their next game is tomorrow against Rapid City.

ABOUT THE INDY FUEL:

The Indy Fuel are the proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks and the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs. The Fuel have returned to Fishers Event Center for their 12th season. Information and tickets can be found HERE.

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