Komets Rally From 3-0 Deficit to Stun Fuel 4-3 in Overtime

LarryInFishers.com
Faceoff to start Period 3

The Indy Fuel built a 3-0 lead early in the third period Sunday at the Fishers Event Center. Then the Fort Wayne Komets scored three straight goals to force overtime, and Jack Kopacka won it in the extra session for a 4-3 come-from-behind victory for the rivals from up I-69.

Kopacka’s game-winner was assisted by Mitch Hults and Cole Hults.

The Komets were playing their third game in three days, but they found their legs once they got on the board in the third period. They tied the game with 2:32 left in regulation.

It was another slow start for the Fuel, who had little energy early. Fort Wayne carried the play in a scoreless first period and outshot Indy 9-5.

Kyler Kupka broke the scoreless tie in the second period with a short-handed goal, assisted by Aaron Bohlinger. Both teams had several power-play chances in the period, but neither scored on one.

Owen Robinson made it 2-0 early in the third period. About four minutes later, Josh Nixon scored, assisted by Chase Dafoe. With a 3-0 lead, the Fuel looked to be in control.

That’s when the Komets got going. Shortly after Nixon’s goal, Mitch Hults scored, assisted by Arnaud Durandeau and Kopacka, to cut the lead to 3-1. With just over nine minutes left in regulation, Durandeau scored, assisted by Hults and Kopacka, to make it 3-2.

Josh Davies tied the game with 2:32 remaining, assisted by Cody Morgan and Cole Hults.

Kopacka and Mitch Hults each finished with a goal and two assists. Durandeau had a goal and an assist. Kopacka and Durandeau both signed with Fort Wayne in the offseason. Kopacka is a former Anaheim Ducks draft pick who spent the last four seasons playing in Sweden.

The loss came one week after the Fuel beat the Komets 6-2 at Fort Wayne’s Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 24. Fort Wayne beat Indy nine times last season.

The Fuel are back home Tuesday, Nov. 3, for their annual Education Day game against the Cincinnati Cyclones. Puck drop is 10:30 a.m. at the Fishers Event Center, and doors open at 9:30 a.m. Indy then hosts the Kalamazoo Wings on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m.