The Indy Fuel missed a golden opportunity to gain some additional breathing room in the race for the playoffs, as Indy went 1-1-1 in their three-game slate over the weekend. The Fuel currently sit in fourth place of the central division, and ninth in the conference.
Game 1- Thursday, January 30th, Fuel 3 vs Kalamazoo 5
The Fuel went back and forth with the Wings in this contest. Indy jumped out to the early lead with a slap shot goal by Keoni Texeira. The lead was short-lived as Kalamazoo answered with a goal from Zach Diamontoni. Diamontoni cashed in some loose change given up by Fuel goalie Dan Bakala.
The tie did not last long as the Wings’ Luke Sandler snuck a wrister past Bakala. The Fuel trailed 2-1 until Alex Rauter committed an act of thievery for the Fuel’s second goal. The Fuel took back the lead with a goal from an old friend.
🚨💡OG WATTY GOAL💡🚨
We are up 3-2 with 8:39 left to go thanks to Spencer Watson! pic.twitter.com/FniJeKD5YJ
— Indy Fuel (@IndyFuel) January 31, 2020
After the Spencer Watson goal, Fuel never led again. The Wings received back to back goals anded regained the lead 4-3. Former Indy Fuel Foward, Mattheson Iacopelli exacted his revenge on the Blackhawks organization with the fifth and final goal of the game.
Game 2- Friday, January 31st, Fuel 3 vs Cincinnati 4
In their second contest of the weekend, the Fuel jumped out to another early lead. Liam Coughlin won out a board battle and then feathered a back door pass to Michael Doherty for the first goal of the game.
🚨Coughlin –> Dots –> 🥅🚨
Fuel are up 1-0 at 16:56 in the game! pic.twitter.com/SxG5cB1n5A
— Indy Fuel (@IndyFuel) February 1, 2020
The back door plays were working for the Fuel early on, with Rauter finding Spencer Watson for another tap in goal. After being staked to a two-goal lead, the Fuel started to stumble along. The Cyclones tied the game up with two goals of their own. With the score knotted at two, Jake Ryczek was gifted a squeaker by Michael Houser. The Cyclones’ Ben Johnson netted the equalizer at 10:09 past in the third period. After the game finished deadlocked at three, the Cyclones’ Tobie Bisson notched game-winner two minutes into overtime.
Game 3- Saturday, February 1st, Fuel 3 vs Toledo 2
The weekend ended for the Fuel on a positive note. Alex Rauter continued his scoring streak by delivering a goal on a two on one opportunity.
🚨✨FUEL GOALLLL✨🚨
Now THAT is what we like to see, Alex Rauter puts us up 1-0! pic.twitter.com/fl2UoYXbfA
— Indy Fuel (@IndyFuel) February 1, 2020
Toledo knotted the game up at one goal with a deflection goal by Troy Loggins. After a scoreless second period, Spencer Watson continued his scoring ways with the Fuel, firing a shot past goalie Billy Christopoulos. Cliff Watson put the finishing touches on the victory with a wrap-around goal. This was Cliff Watson’s first goal in a Fuel uniform and Indy finished the weekend on a winning note.
Fuel Dump:
- Alex Rauter is riding high on a four-game point streak.
- Liam Coughlin was recalled by the Rockford Icehogs on February 1st.
- Indy is 20-7-3 when scoring first.
- Spencer Watson leads the ECHL with 9 power play goals.