Fuel Settle for Split of Preseason Series
October 9, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Indy Fuel News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The Fort Wayne Komets struck for three second period goals to defeat the Indy Fuel Saturday night at Indiana Farmers Coliseum by the result of 5-2.
Right wing Kyle Thomas spurred the victors attack with a pair of strikes including the game's first goal at the 16:03 mark of the opening period before delivering the ultimate game winning goal at 10:09 of the middle frame. In the process, the Komets salvaged an even split of the two-game, home-and-home pre-season series between the two in-state rivals of the ECHL's Western Conference Central Division. One night earlier in Fort Wayne, it was the Fuel prevailing, 4-3.
Komets' center Mason Baptista added a goal and an assist with his goal at 13:24 of the same stanza coming on the game's lone power play goal. Baptista's strike climaxed the K's three-goal second period outburst.
Right wing Martin Bellus and left wing Marek Tvrdon accounted for the Fuel firepower as Indy was outshot, 39-23; 15-4 in the opening period.
Garrett Bartus (7-saves, 0-GA) and John McLean (16-saves, 2-GA) shared the netminding duties for the Komets with McLean credited with the victory. In his Fuel debut, recently assigned goalkeeper Eric Levine went the distance, rebuffing 34 shots.
Completing the brief ECHL pre-season with a 1-1 record, the Fuel take aim at their third season of ECHL action when they launch the 2016-17 campaign opening night, next Friday night, October 14th when they host the Cincinnati Cyclones in a 7:35 face-off at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum.
It's the first game of a season-inaugurating two-game home-and-home series against the Cyclones with game two Saturday night, October 15th in the Ohio City.
Opening Night of the 2016-17 Fuel season is coming Friday, October 14 and tickets are now on sale - pick up yours today via Ticketmaster or at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum box office! Ticket Plans of all sizes are also available, from Full-Season Plans to six and three-game packages, in addition to Group Ticket options. Learn more by visiting IndyFuelHockey.com or calling 317-925-FUEL. Stay up to date throughout the offseason by following the Fuel on Twitter and Instagram (@IndyFuel ) and don't forget to 'Like' the Fuel on Facebook .
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