The Indy Fuel struck first Wednesday night but could not hold the lead, falling to the Wheeling Nailers 2-1 in regulation.

Indy opened the scoring midway through the first period. After Sahil Panwar was sent off for interference at 5:45, the Fuel capitalized while shorthanded. Tyler Paquette found the back of the net at the 8:00 mark to give Indy a 1-0 advantage.

The remainder of the opening period was evenly played, with both teams registering seven shots on goal.

The second period featured several penalties but no scoring. Jadon Joseph was whistled for slashing just 1:19 into the frame, but the Fuel successfully killed off the power play. Wheeling’s Max Graham was penalized twice — for tripping at 6:25 and roughing at 17:05 — giving Indy two power-play opportunities. The Nailers’ penalty kill held firm both times.

Matthew Quercia took an interference penalty at 19:31 that carried over into the third period. By the end of two periods, Wheeling held a slim 17-15 edge in shots.

The Nailers killed off the remaining penalty early in the third before the Fuel generated sustained pressure. However, penalties again shifted momentum. Nick Grima and Quercia were both called for slashing in quick succession at 6:35, but Indy’s penalty kill stood tall.

The turning point came at 12:17 when Michael Marchesan was penalized for cross-checking. Connor Lockhart capitalized on the power play, tying the game 1-1.

Indy had a late chance to respond when Wheeling’s Zach Urdahl was assessed a delayed slashing penalty with 1:56 remaining. But just three seconds into the ensuing power play, Jesse Tucker was called for hooking, negating the advantage.

Lockhart struck again at 19:22, scoring his second goal of the game to give Wheeling a 2-1 lead.

The Fuel pulled goaltender Mitchell Weeks in the final 30 seconds but could not generate the equalizer. Wheeling finished with a 29-22 advantage in shots on goal.