ESTERO, FL -- Matt Rupert’s hat trick along with a 36-save performance by Connor Delia, led the Indy Fuel to a 5-2 victory over the Everblades Friday night.  The loss was the first for the Everblades (5-1-0-0) of the season.

Indy struck first just 2:56 into the game, when Cam Reid picked up a bouncing puck at the left wing circle and snapped a shot sharply past Florida goaltender Callum Booth to put the Fuel out in front early in the game.

Halfway through the opening frame, Florida tied the game up on the power play.  Defenseman Gus Young shifted down low to the right side of the crease and accepted a pass from Josiah Didier from the point.  Young angled the puck behind Indy netminder Collin Delia for the tally.

However, the Fuel countered on a power play opportunity of their own with just 13 seconds remaining in the first period.  Geoff Walker delivered a backhanded shot at the top of the crease that was initially stopped by Booth, but the rebound bounced directly to Matt Rupert, who put back the rebound into the net the for the go-ahead score.

The Fuel added to their lead at 3:18 of the second on a Reid Seckel strike from the slot.   A bouncing puck wandered across the slot to Seckel who wristed a shot past Booth to extend the Indy lead to 3-1.

In the third, Florida attempted to stage a comeback bid.  Michael Kirkpatrick finished off a Didier shot to pull Florida within one.  Didier delivered a shot from the point that found Kirkpatrick’s stick on the backside of the crease and tapped the puck behind Delia to put the score at 3-2.

Indy quickly quelled the ‘Blades comeback efforts, with its second power play marker of the night, as Matt Rupert one-timed a shot high into the net for the score to put the Fuel back on top by two.

Following a rash of minor penalties by the 'Blades Florida was unable to get back into it. Rupert completed his hat trick, when he sailed the puck from behind is own blueline into an empty-net to secure the 5-2 win.

Booth takes the loss allowing four goals on 37 shots faced, while Delia earns his first professional win turning aside 36 of 38 shots faced.  The two teams will meet again tomorrow at Germain Arena beginning at 7:00 p.m. Promotional details listed below.

Upcoming Home Games

Saturday, October 28 vs. Indy, 7:00 p.m.  "Sweets in the Suites" Kids in Halloween costumes can trick-or-treat in the luxury suites during the intermission!  Costume contest during the second intermission!

Ticket Information

2017-18 Ticket Packages are Currently on Sale!  We offer full season and flexible partial plans that will best fit your schedule and budget!  To view pricing and benefits of all available ticket packages CLICK HERE

SPECIAL OFFER! Purchase a new ticket package for the 2017-18 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford's Garage!

Discounted Group Tickets: Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price!  Group tickets are available for all home games. Fundraising opportunities are also available. For more information on group tickets, call 239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades offices at Germain Arena Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliateof the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes###