Matt Tomkins was back in the starter’s net Monday after resting in Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the Brampton Beast. Tomkins entered the matchup with a 12-9-0 record with a 3.21 goals-against-average and a .904 save percentage.

At the other end, former Fuel goaltender Jake Hildebrand backstopped the Wings club. Hildebrand had an 8-12-0 record along side a 3.66 goals-against-average and an .885 save percentage.

FUEL STARTING LINEUP

Matt Rupert-Ryan Rupert-Logan Nelson

Alex Brooks-Neil Manning

Matt Tomkins

Kalamazoo got the scoring started first, as Chris Collins sniped Matt Tomkins from a sharp angle for his 13^th of the season.

Logan Nelson tied it for Indy as he snapped the puck past Hildebrand from the slot on the power play for his fourth of the season.

Reid Gardiner’s red-hot play scorched the Fuel as the defenseman collected his 15^th goal of the season 12:08 into the opening frame.

The second period was where the Fuel’s engine started to rev. Josh Shalla scored his 12^th of the season for Indy’s second power play goal of the afternoon.

The next three Indy goals came in less than five minutes, as Ryan Rupert, Matt Rupert and Avery Peterson all found the back of the net.

Ryan Rupert’s ninth of the season came on a feed from the corner by Josh Shalla, where he one-timed it past Hildebrand in the slot.

Matt Rupert was also unchecked in front of the net and was found by his brother Ryan less than four minutes later.

Avery Peterson picked up a rebound in front of the Kalamazoo net and buried his first professional goal to give the Fuel a 5-2 lead.

Tyler Biggs attempted to spark a late Kalamazoo comeback in the third period with a fight, but Dmitry Osipov was able to take him down.

Six minutes after the fight, Matt Rupert sealed the Fuel victory on a breakaway pass from his brother for his second goal of the night and Ryan Rupert’s fourth point.

To finish 2018, Avery Peterson squared up with Wings defenseman Ben Wilson and struck Wilson with an uppercut that dropped him to the ice.

By The Numbers

2 – Number of power play goals for the Fuel

4 – Number of points for Ryan Rupert in the afternoon

1 – Peterson scored his first professional goal and engaged in his first professional fight

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Team Statistics:

Power Play
Indy (15.0%, 21st)
Kalamazoo (15.6%, T-16th)

Penalty Kill
Indy (83.5%, 14^th)
Kalamazoo (83.2%, 15^th)

Shots For/Against Per Game
Indy (27.60, 27^th – 32.73, 17^th)
Kalamazoo (30.16, 22^nd – 33.48, 19^th)

Shooting%
Indy (12.1%, T-2^nd)
Kalamazoo (10.6%, 11^th)

Avg. Height/Weight
Indy – 6’1”, 195 lbs
Kalamazoo – 6’1”. 193 lbs

Analysis:

The Indy Fuel are coming off a tough 5-2 loss at the hands of the Brampton Beast. This loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Fuel.

The Beast went off for a four-goal third period, including two from forward Nathan Todd to snap their six-game losing streak

The Wings are coming off a 5-4 loss to the Toledo Walleye at home. Kalamazoo forward Chris Collins had a two-point night but it was not enough for the Wings, as newly acquired Walleye defenseman Connor Schmidt recorded two goals.

The Fuel are 3-1 against Kalamazoo this season, as they look to end 2018 with a win in Michigan. The last time out in Kalamazoo, Kevin Dufour recorded two goals as the Fuel defeated the Wings 5-4. Quentin Shore also added a goal and two assists.

In the same game, Fuel captain Zach Miskovic was boarded by Wings forward Zach Saar. Miskovic was taken off on a stretcher and treated at a local hospital. Miskovic rejoined his teammates at Wings Event Center later that night and thanked the medical staff for their help on Twitter. Miskovic remains out until he is cleared by doctors. Saar was issued a boarding major and a game misconduct on the play. He was also suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount by the league.

Players To Watch

Indy: Olivier Labelle

Labelle was my player to watch in the last game, but for good reason. He now has nine points in his last seven games. The 33-year-old had two assists in the Fuel’s last game in Kalamazoo and has three goals and three assists in four games against the Wings this season. Look for him to have a solid game today in Kalamazoo.

Kalamazoo: Chris Collins

Collins is Kalamazoo’s leading scorer with 32 points in 31 games. He also happens to be their leading scorer against the Fuel with six points in four games. The 26-year-old has five points in his last four games. Collins is a rookie so it’s even more impressive given the season he has had so far. We’ll see if he can continue his great start to the season on New Years’ Eve.

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