The Indy Fuel outshot the Rapid City Rush by a wide margin Friday night but could not find the net after the opening period, falling 3-1 in the first game of a three-game series at Rapid City.

Indy controlled play early, firing 16 shots on goal in the first period while allowing just four. Despite the early pressure, it was the Rush who struck first. Ryan Wagner scored a power-play goal at 17:54 after a hooking penalty on Matt Petgrave gave Rapid City the advantage.

The Fuel responded quickly. Sahil Panwar scored less than 30 seconds later to tie the game 1-1, with Mike Van Unen recording the assist against his former team after being traded to Indy from Rapid City in December.

Indy continued to dictate the pace in the second period, adding to its shot total but unable to break through. The Fuel killed off a Rapid City power play midway through the period and later went on the power play themselves after a hooking penalty on Chaz Smedsrud, but the Rush penalty kill held. After two periods, Indy held a commanding 28-12 edge in shots, with the score still tied.

The third period featured more special teams play but the same result for the Fuel. Indy successfully killed another Rush power play early in the frame, then failed to convert on a power play of its own following a tripping call on Rasmus Ekström.

Rapid City broke the tie at 11:39 of the third when Ryan Chyzowski scored to give the Rush a 2-1 lead. Late penalties gave Indy one final opportunity, including a 6-on-4 advantage after pulling goaltender Mitchell Weeks, but Brett Davis sealed the outcome with an empty-net goal in the final minute.

The Fuel finished with a season-high 47 shots on goal, compared to just 16 for Rapid City.

The two teams meet again Saturday night in the middle game of the three-game set.