ECHL Game Recap: Fort Wayne Komets vs Indy Fuel l 12/21/24

The Indy Fuel hosted their Central Division rival Fort Wayne Komets, for the second game of their two-game series Saturday night after losing 3-0 the previous night in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This rivalry has a long history, stemming from multiple franchises in both Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, and with such close proximity between the two cities, many Komets fans made the trip south. As of pre-game Saturday night, the Fuel sat fourth in the Central Division with a record of 10-9-2, while the Komets were in second place with a record of 15-7-1. It was Hawaiian Holidays Night at the Fishers Event Center for the Fuel’s fifth home game of the season, following the completion of their new arena, a improved upgrade from the Memorial Coliseum. In goal for the Komets was Connor Ungar, wearing #32, while #32 Ben Gaudreau, recently sent down from the AHL Rockford IceHogs, took the crease for the Fuel.

First Period:

Tempers were flaring nine seconds into the game, as Christopher Cameron and Yanick Turcotte dropped the gloves, sending the crowd into a frenzy while the two fought for over a minute at center ice.

1:28 into the first period, Nathan Noel from Indy received a penalty for interference, but the Komets were unable to convert on the following power play. With 8:42 remaining in the first, Nick Grima of Indy was penalized for boarding behind his own net after Gaudreau made a sprawling blocker stop on a breakaway. However, the Fuel’s impressive penalty kill, currently operating at a 90% rate, stumped the Komets during their second power play of the period. Later on, Jack Dugan from Fort Wayne was penalized for interference, giving Indy another power play opportunity, but the Komets’ aggressive checking defense managed to kill off that penalty as well. The period later ended at a 0-0 tie, with the shot total favoring Indy eight to seven.

Second Period:

3:59 into the second period, Cam Hausinger completely fooled Komets’ goaltender Connor Ungar with a beautiful forehand to backhand move, placing the puck into an empty net to give the Fuel a 1-0 lead early in the second.

With 10:55 left in the middle frame, Alex Swetlikoff of Fort Wayne was penalized for slashing at mid-ice, giving the Fuel their third power play opportunity. This time, they capitalized as Cam Hausinger scored in a net-front scramble, marking his second goal of the game and extending Indy’s lead to 2-0.

At 17:13 into the second period, Darren Brady shoved a Fuel player into the boards in open ice, resulting in an undisciplined roughing penalty. This sent the Fuel back to the power play, but midway through, Ryan Gagnier of Indy negated the advantage by taking an interference penalty at mid-ice. Fort Wayne did not go away in this one though, as Brannon McManus fired a shot under the armpit of Gaudreau, scoring a buzzer-beater with just 0.5 seconds left in the period. McManus’s goal cut the Komets’ deficit to 2-1 as they headed into the third period.

Third Period:

Both teams came out crashing each other into the boards to start the third, with the agressiveness not subsiding. With 17:12 remaining in the third, Sam Hausinger scored his third goal of the game, marking the first-ever hat trick at Fishers Event Center and extending Indy’s lead to 3-1.

Just 43 seconds later, with 16:29 on the clock, Justin Taylor scored a controversial goal for the Komets. Originally waved off for goaltender interference, the goal was later overturned because a Fuel player caused the contact. This trimmed Fort Wayne’s deficit to 3-2 early in the third period.

After the Komets’ second goal, momentum shifted in their favor, but Indy goaltender Ben Gaudreau made a flurry of important saves down the stretch. However, Fort Wayne’s momentum disappeared when goaltender Connor Ungar mishandled a dumped-in puck behind the net, turning it over to Ryan Gagnier, who fired it into the net. This gave Indy a 4-2 lead with six minutes remaining.

With 4:39 left to play, Komets’ Head Coach Jesse Kallechy pulled the goalie in an attempt to climb back. However, it was no avail as Andrew Bellant fired a puck down ice into the empty net, icing the game. Time eventually ran out amongst more rough stuff between the teams, with Indy later winning at a final score of 5-2, improving their record to 11-9-2, while the Komets fell to 15-8-1. These heated rivals are set to face each other again next Friday night at the Fishers Event Center, with tempers surely to carry over.

Three Stars of the Game:

1) Cam Hausinger – 3 Goals, 1 Assist
2) Ryan Gagnier – 1 Goal, 1 Assist
3) Adam McCormick – 2 Assists