INDIANAPOLIS — The Indy Fuel made franchise history Friday night at Indiana Farmers Coliseum.
The Fuel opened the ECHL's Kelly Cup playoffs with a 5-2 win over the Wheeling Nailers, the first home playoff win in team history.
Kyle Maksimovich scored two goals and added an assist for Indy, who to took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-7 series.
Maksimovich opened the scoring midway through the first period, beating Wheeling goalie Jaxon Castor with just seconds remaining on the power play.
After the Nailers tied the game early in the second period, the Fuel exploded for three goals to take control of the game. Bryan Lemos scored for a 2-1 lead, followed by Maksimovich's second goal of the night. Andrew Bellant scored Indy's third goal of the period with 7:37 left for a 4-1 lead.
Dillon Hamaliuk pulled Wheeling to within 4-2 midway through the third, but Kale Howarth closed out the win with just over four minutes remaining off an assist from Maksimovich.
Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday, April 20 at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m.
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Series schedule
Friday, April 19 - Indy 5, Wheeling 2
Saturday, April 20 - at Indy, 7 p.m.
Monday, April 22 - at Wheeling, 7:10 p.m.
Tuesday, April 23 - at Wheeling, 7:10 p.m.
Saturday, April 27 - at Wheeling, 7:10 p.m. (if necessary)
Monday, April 29 - at Indy, 7 p.m. (if necessary)
Tuesday, April 30 - at Indy, 7 p.m. (if necessary)