The Indy Fuel fell to the first-place Florida Everblades 6-3 on Wednesday night at the Fishers Event Center, in the first of a three-game home series this week. Despite an early deficit, the Fuel battled back but couldn’t overcome Florida’s offensive surge.

The Everblades wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as Craig Needham netted an unassisted goal just over two minutes into the contest. Florida extended its lead minutes later when Alex Kile capitalized to make it 2-0.

Indy responded midway through the first period, with Adam McCormick cutting the deficit to 2-1 off a setup from Cam Hausinger. However, Florida struck back quickly as Isaac Nurse restored the two-goal cushion at 10:44. A late high-sticking penalty against Indy’s Zach Bannister gave the Everblades an extended power play opportunity, carrying into the second period.

Indy showed resilience in the second, as Darby Llewellyn brought the home team within one at 8:54, marking his fifth goal of the season. McCormick notched his second point of the night with the assist, while Colin Bilek also contributed.

Florida, however, took control from there. A holding penalty on Lucas Brenton set up Colin Theisen for a power-play goal at 12:03, and just over a minute later, Tarun Fizer extended the Everblades’ lead to 5-2. By the end of two periods, Florida held a dominant 25-15 advantage in shots.

Florida’s power-play unit struck again in the third period, with Fizer tallying his second goal of the night at 14:42 to make it 6-2.

Indy found some late momentum when Kyle Maksimovich scored on the power play at 18:59, assisted by Bilek and Alex Lemos. However, it was too little, too late, as the Everblades secured the 6-3 victory, outshooting the Fuel 32-22.

The Fuel will look to bounce back in their next matchup against the Everblades as the two teams continue their series Friday.