It was opening night for the Indy Fuel Friday at the Fishers Event Center, as the team was introduced to a crowd of 6,530 fans. Team owner Jim Hallett welcomed the enthusiastic audience before the puck dropped to begin the 2025–2026 season.

This year’s opener marked a sharp contrast to last season, when the Fuel spent the first six weeks on the road while construction wrapped up on their new home. This time, the team started the season on home ice — but couldn’t come away with a win.

The rival Fort Wayne Komets spoiled the celebration, shutting out the Fuel 4–0. The game started on a tough note for the Fuel, as Michael Marcheson was called for a penalty less than three minutes into play. Seconds later, Jayden Joseph joined him in the penalty box, giving the Komets a two-man advantage. Fort Wayne capitalized quickly, with Blake Murray scoring the first goal of the night.

Komets goalie Nataniel Day kept the Fuel off the scoreboard for the rest of the game, earning a shutout in the season opener.

With only five returning players from last year’s roster, much of this year’s Fuel lineup is new, and it may take time for the squad to find its chemistry.

The Fuel will be back in action Saturday night, October 18, once again at home in the Fishers Event Center, facing one of the ECHL’s top teams in recent seasons — the Toledo Walleye.