The Indy Fuel’s road trip hit a bump in Atlanta on Saturday night, as they fell 1-0 to the Gladiators in the first of a two-game set. The game turned into a goaltending masterclass, with Atlanta’s Drew DeRidder stealing the spotlight by earning a shutout in a tightly contested match.
1st Period
Both teams struggled to find any offensive rhythm in the opening 16 minutes, with only one penalty to break the stalemate—a slashing call against Indy’s Chris Cameron. Atlanta quickly capitalized on the power play, with Cody Sylvester scoring the game’s only goal just eight seconds into the man advantage. It was Sylvester’s first of the season, and it provided Atlanta with the lead they would not relinquish. Despite the low scoring, the period was evenly matched, with Atlanta outshooting Indy 8-7.
2nd Period
As the game wore on, tempers flared. The second period saw the physicality increase, with both teams trading blows and engaging in scrums after the whistle. However, the referees kept the penalties limited, only assessing coincidental roughing minors at 11:58. The Fuel had their chances to equalize, earning two power-play opportunities, but they couldn’t solve DeRidder, who faced a barrage of 15 shots in the period. Meanwhile, Indy goaltender Peyton Jones was less busy, only facing four shots as the Gladiators struggled to sustain pressure.
3rd Period
The final period saw more of the same: strong goaltending on both ends and an inability for either team to score at even strength. Desperate to tie the game, the Fuel pulled Jones with less than two minutes remaining for an extra attacker, but DeRidder remained a brick wall. His calm under pressure, especially against the aggressive Fuel attack, sealed the shutout victory.
Penalties continued to rack up in the third period, with both teams combining for 12 penalty minutes, matching the total from the first two periods combined. Despite outshooting Atlanta 25-20 over the course of the game, the Fuel left empty-handed, unable to break through DeRidder’s wall of defense.
The two teams will meet again in Atlanta as the Fuel look to rebound and find their scoring touch in the rematch.