ECHL Indy Fuel

Fuel Open Preseason with Win in Fort Wayne

Published on October 7, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Indy Fuel News Release


FORT WAYNE, IND. - After falling into an early hole, the Indy Fuel (1-0-0-0 preseason) responded to grab a 4-3 victory over the Fort Wayne Komets (0-1-0-0 preseason) Friday night at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, in the first of two ECHL exhibition contests between the two clubs. The Fuel bounced back from a first period 2-0 deficit with four straight goals en route to a road victory in their preseason debut.

Forward Cody Sharib netted a pair of second period goals, and former Komets defenseman Randy Cure chipped in the eventual game-winning tally early in the third for Indy. Sharib finished with a three-point evening, recording an assist on a first-period tally by Alex Wideman. The two teams meet again Saturday night at Indiana Farmers Coliseum.

The Fuel were a bit sluggish to start, and quick tallies by Fort Wayne's Garrett Thompson and Jamie Schaafsma spotted the home team a two-goal lead just 6:09 into play. However, Indy halted the Komets momentum when Wideman beat goaltender Pat Nagle over the glove, narrowing the gap to 2-1 just 1:16 after Schaafsma's power play marker.

Indy took over the game in the middle frame, starting when Sharib found the first of his two goals at 4:32 on the power play. The Fuel's leading goal scorer from a year ago tied the game with a seeing-eye shot from the slot that found an opening under Nagle's arm.

Sharib gave Indy the lead at 17:38 of the period when he finished a net-mouth scramble - moments after Fort Wayne nearly took the lead themselves. A Komets shot hit the post behind goaltender Keegan Asmundson, but the resulting carom gave the Fuel an odd-man rush the other direction. After two scoring chances came up short, Sharib put back a rebound off of the right post, giving Indy the only lead they needed on Friday.

The Fuel doubled their edge just 3:58 into the third when Cure threaded a shot through traffic on the power play. Christian Finch notched his second assist of the night on the goal, while Wideman also logged a multi-point outing with the secondary helper.

With an extra attacker on the ice, Fort Wayne pulled back within one in the final minute when Schaafsma scored his second of the night. But Asmundson held on to cap off a 25-save performance with a preseason victory. In the other end, Nagle finished with 20 saves on 24 shots.

Indy's power play scored twice on five attempts, while Fort Wayne finished 1-for-3 with the man advantage.

Fans attending Saturday's rematch in Indianapolis will receive a free 2016-17 Fuel magnet schedule presented by IBEW Local #481, and can meet Fuel players in an autograph session after the game. Tickets for the 6 p.m. puck drop at Indiana Farmers Coliseum are just $10, and available at IndyFuelHockey.com or all Ticketmaster locations.

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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ECHL Stories from October 7, 2016


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