The Indy Fuel traveled to Wheeling, West Virginia, for their first meeting of the season with the Nailers and their first matchup since Wheeling moved to the North Division. In a game brimming with playoff revenge energy, the Fuel ultimately fell 2-1 after an intense shootout battle.

First Period: Quick Start and Early Drama

The Fuel wasted no time making an impact. Just 19 seconds after the puck dropped, team captain Chris Cameron unleashed a blistering slapshot that sailed past Wheeling’s goaltender, giving Indy an early 1-0 lead. Brandon Saigeon and Cam Hausinger provided the assists, marking only the second first-period goal for the Fuel this season.

Moments later, the game turned physical. Cameron and Wheeling’s Matthew Quercia reignited an old rivalry with a spirited bout, earning both five-minute fighting majors.

The Nailers tried to capitalize on a power-play opportunity after Jordan Martin was penalized for slashing midway through the period, but the Fuel’s penalty-kill unit stood firm. The first period ended with Indy holding a 10-6 edge in shots, but not before tempers flared during a post-whistle skirmish near the boards.

Second Period: Nailers Strike Back

The middle frame saw both teams trading chances and penalties. The Fuel failed to convert on two power-play opportunities, as Wheeling’s penalty killers held their ground.

At 16:46, the Nailers found their equalizer. Quercia, playing a pivotal role throughout the game, capitalized on a feed from Kyle Jackson and Matt Koopman to tie the game 1-1.

The Nailers outshot the Fuel 10-6 in the second period, and the evenly matched contest carried its tension into the final frame.

Third Period: Stalemate Intensifies

The physicality persisted in the third as Jack Beck was sent to the box for cross-checking early in the period. Despite yet another power-play chance for Indy, the Nailers continued their penalty-kill dominance.

Both teams exchanged chances but failed to find the back of the net. The Nailers outshot the Fuel narrowly in regulation, but neither side could break the deadlock, sending the game into overtime.

Overtime and Shootout Drama

Overtime brought end-to-end action, with both teams generating quality opportunities. The Nailers outshot the Fuel 8-2 in the extra frame, but Indy’s goaltender held firm, forcing a shootout.

In the shootout, Wheeling’s Jack Beck emerged as the hero, scoring the lone goal in the second round to secure the Nailers’ 2-1 victory.

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