After two tough home losses to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Friday and Saturday, the Indy Fuel bounced back, traveling north on I-69 to defeat the Fort Wayne Komets 3-1. A tense, back-and-forth battle saw the teams enter the third period tied, but Kyle Maksimovich’s game-winner propelled the Fuel to victory.
The opening period featured a series of penalties but no goals as both teams tested each other’s special teams units.
Fort Wayne wasted no time in the second period, striking just 13 seconds in on the power play as Jack Gorniak gave the Komets a 1-0 lead. Indy, however, responded at 5:42 when Nathan Burke netted a power play goal, assisted by Maksimovich and Kevin Lombardi, to tie the game at 1-1.
The Fuel faced more adversity as goaltender Ben Gaudreau was assessed a roughing penalty for an altercation with Kirill Tyutyayev. Despite the penalty, Indy’s defense held firm, and both teams exchanged chances without further scoring.
Indy took control early in the third period when Maksimovich found the net just 1:12 in, assisted by Bilek and Bryan Lemos, to give the Fuel a 2-1 lead. Both teams kept their composure until 12:56, when a slashing call on Justin Taylor gave Indy a crucial power play, though they were unable to extend their lead.
With just under four minutes remaining, Ty Farmer took a cross-checking penalty, giving Fort Wayne a power play opportunity. The Komets were unable to break through Indy’s penalty kill unit. Lemos sealed the win with an empty-net goal, his second point of the night, securing a 3-1 victory for the Fuel.
As the final minute approached, tempers flared, leading to a series of fights and over 50 penalty minutes being assessed between both teams. Once order was restored, Indy closed out the game, finishing with a 33-30 edge in shots.
The Fuel stand in third place among teams of the Western Conference Central Division, with a record of 18 wins, 17 losses, 3 overtime losses of 2 shootout losses, for a total of 41 points. They trail the 4th place Bloomington Bison by 2 points.
Indy starts a five game homestand Friday against the Wheeling Nailers, 7pm, at the Fishers Events Center.