A lengthy power outage delayed the start, but once play finally began Wednesday night at the Fishers Event Center, the Indy Fuel wasted little time generating some energy of their own.

After the puck finally dropped at 9:18 p.m., the Fuel built a three-goal lead and held on late to defeat the Wichita Thunder 3-2 in the first of three games between the teams this week.

The opening period featured plenty of physical play and penalties before Indy broke through on the scoreboard. Less than two minutes into the game, Fuel captain Chris Cameron and Wichita’s Jack Bar were called for roughing, and Dustin Manz received a five-minute major for boarding along with a 10-minute misconduct.

The Thunder briefly held a two-man advantage early, but Fuel goaltender Mitchell Weeks turned away every shot during the 5-on-3 opportunity.

Indy struck first at 8:02 of the opening period when Nick Grima scored his first goal of the season. The puck slipped past the Wichita goaltender and across the goal line, giving the Fuel a 1-0 lead. Matt Petgrave and Terry Broadhurst were credited with assists.

The Fuel extended the lead in the second period. At 3:39, Lee Lapid scored to make it 2-0 with Brett Moravec picking up the assist. Less than three minutes later, Lapid helped set up another goal, this time feeding Cody Laskosky, who pushed the lead to 3-0. Christian Berger also assisted on the play.

Wichita began to climb back into the game midway through the period. Michal Stinil scored on a power play at 8:38 to cut the Fuel advantage to 3-1. Later, another Wichita power play produced a goal from Noah Beck, trimming the lead to 3-2 before the end of the second period.

Despite the Thunder’s comeback attempt, Indy maintained the lead through a tense third period. The Fuel killed off a key penalty midway through the final frame, and Wichita pulled its goaltender with about two minutes remaining in favor of an extra attacker.

Indy had several chances at the empty net but could not convert. Still, the Fuel held firm defensively until time expired, securing the 3-2 victory.

The Fuel outshot Wichita 31-22 in the game.

The two teams will meet again twice more this week, Friday and Saturday nights, at the Fishers Event Center.