Indy Fuel (16-14-0-0) at Kalamazoo Wings (15-15-0-1)
3:00 PM Eastern
Wings Event Center
Watch Live: ECHL.TV
Team Statistics:
Power Play
Indy (15.0%, 21st)
Kalamazoo (15.6%, T-16th)
Penalty Kill
Indy (83.5%, 14th)
Kalamazoo (83.2%, 15th)
Shots For/Against Per Game
Indy (27.60, 27th – 32.73, 17th)
Kalamazoo (30.16, 22nd – 33.48, 19th)
Shooting%
Indy (12.1%, T-2nd)
Kalamazoo (10.6%, 11th)
Avg. Height/Weight
Indy – 6’1”, 195 lbs
Kalamazoo – 6’1”. 193 lbs
Analysis:
The Indy Fuel are coming off a tough 5-2 loss at the hands of the Brampton Beast. This loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Fuel.
The Beast went off for a four-goal third period, including two from forward Nathan Todd to snap their six-game losing streak
The Wings are coming off a 5-4 loss to the Toledo Walleye at home. Kalamazoo forward Chris Collins had a two-point night but it was not enough for the Wings, as newly acquired Walleye defenseman Connor Schmidt recorded two goals.
The Fuel are 3-1 against Kalamazoo this season, as they look to end 2018 with a win in Michigan. The last time out in Kalamazoo, Kevin Dufour recorded two goals as the Fuel defeated the Wings 5-4. Quentin Shore also added a goal and two assists.
In the same game, Fuel captain Zach Miskovic was boarded by Wings forward Zach Saar. Miskovic was taken off on a stretcher and treated at a local hospital. Miskovic rejoined his teammates at Wings Event Center later that night and thanked the medical staff for their help on Twitter. Miskovic remains out until he is cleared by doctors. Saar was issued a boarding major and a game misconduct on the play. He was also suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount by the league.
Players To Watch
Indy: Olivier Labelle
Labelle was my player to watch in the last game, but for good reason. He now has nine points in his last seven games. The 33-year-old had two assists in the Fuel’s last game in Kalamazoo and has three goals and three assists in four games against the Wings this season. Look for him to have a solid game today in Kalamazoo.
Kalamazoo: Chris Collins
Collins is Kalamazoo’s leading scorer with 32 points in 31 games. He also happens to be their leading scorer against the Fuel with six points in four games. The 26-year-old has five points in his last four games. Collins is a rookie so it’s even more impressive given the season he has had so far. We’ll see if he can continue his great start to the season on New Years’ Eve.