The Indy Fuel outshot the Rapid City Rush by a wide margin Saturday night at The Monument in South Dakota, but could not overcome timely Rush scoring in a 4–2 loss.

Fuel goaltender Ryan Ouellette stopped 22 shots in his first game action since Nov. 7, while Indy generated more than 40 shots on goal for the second straight night.

Indy controlled much of the opening period, outshooting Rapid City 15–5, but the Rush struck first. After the Fuel killed off a slashing penalty, Rasmus Ekström scored his eighth goal of the season just eight seconds later to give Rapid City a 1–0 lead.

The Fuel appeared to tie the game midway through the period, but Sahil Panwar’s goal was overturned due to goaltender interference. Indy continued to apply pressure and was rewarded at 4:53, when Tyler Paquette scored his first even-strength goal of the season, assisted by Matt Petgrave and Nick Grima. Petgrave’s assist marked his 20th point of the year. The teams went to intermission tied 1–1.

Rapid City took control early in the second period. Blake Bennett scored twice, first at 9:31 and again four minutes later, to give the Rush a 3–1 advantage. Indy responded late in the frame when Eric Martin scored his first professional goal with 1:20 remaining, cutting the deficit to 3–2.

Despite outshooting Rapid City 30–12 through two periods, the Fuel could not find the equalizer.

Indy continued to press in the third period, finishing the night with a 46–25 edge in shots on goal. Ouellette was pulled for an extra attacker in the final minute, but Brett Davis sealed the win for Rapid City with an empty-net goal with 42 seconds remaining.

The Fuel and Rush conclude their weekend series in Rapid City Sunday.