FUEL FALL 4-3 TO THE HEARTLANDERS IN IMPORTANT LATE SEASON GAME

CORALVILLE- The Indy Fuel played their second of three games in Iowa this weekend. Despite having a two-goal lead, the Fuel fell 4-3 in a Central division matchup.

1ST PERIOD

The game got off to a slow start, with the shots remaining low. After a bit of controlled zone time, Chris Cameron took a shot from the point, giving the Fuel a 1-0 lead at 13:01 in the first period.

Indy's Nick Grima and Iowa's Isaac Johnson received coincidental penalties at 13:35, both two minutes for roughing, resulting in 4-on-4 play.

With 5:03 left on the clock, Jadon Joseph split two Iowa defenders and buried the puck on the breakaway, putting the Fuel up 2-0 on the Heartlanders.

After a few big saves from both goalies, the horn sounded to end the period. Iowa narrowly outshot the Fuel 10-8, despite the Fuel's 2-0 lead.

2ND PERIOD

Jadon Joseph and Anthony Firriolo started off the period with coincidental roughing penalties at 0:14, resulting in 4-on-4 play. The Fuel controlled with two shots, but no goals.

Iowa split the score in half with a goal from Matthew Argentina at 6:06, making it 2-1 Fuel.

After a huge save from Chase Wutzke on Tyler Weiss, Iowa's Cameron Butler tied the game at 8:14. The Heartlanders scored two goals on back-to-back shots, tying the game at 2-2.

After a chaotic sequence and another big save from Chase Wutzke, the Fuel scored on a goal from Jesse Tucker assisted by Matt Petgrave at 12:49, putting Indy back up 3-2.

The Fuel got another chance on the power play at 13:51 with Matt Koethe of the Heartlanders, sitting two minutes for high-sticking.

The last two minutes of the period resulted in three more penalties. Indy's Michael Marchesan sat for two minutes at 18:00 for holding. Matt Koethe from Iowa was called for two minutes for elbowing at 19:30. Shortly after, Jesse Tucker of the Fuel took a high-sticking penalty for two minutes at 19:58.

At the end of the period, the Fuel outshot the Heartlanders, 23-18 with a 3-2 lead.

3RD PERIOD

The period began with 4-on-4 play, with an abbreviated Iowa power play, but the Heartlanders did not capitalize.

Immediately after, Iowa tied the game at 3-3 with a goal from Keltie Jeri-Leon at 2:01 in the third period.

The Heartlanders killed one tripping penalty before being called for another one, giving the Fuel two power play opportunities, both being unsuccessful.

Jordan Martin was called for tripping at 12:17 and Elliot Desnoyers was sent to the box with him for diving/embellishment, resulting in another 4-on-4 play.

Iowa took advantage of the 4-on-4 and Cameron Butler scored the game winning goal at 13:23, putting Iowa up 4-3.

Even after pulling Weeks for the empty net, 2:08 was not enough time to get one back for Indy. In the end, the Fuel outshot Iowa 37-24, but fell 4-3.

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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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