Game 55 Preview: Fort Wayne at Iowa

Heartlanders ride seven-game winning streak into Wednesday showdown

Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Heartlanders (24-23-6-1, 55 pts.) have won a team-record seven straight games and start a three-game home stand against the Fort Wayne Komets (28-19-5-1, 62 pts.) Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday is College Night, pres. by Hills Bank, with discounted reveal t-shirts and tickets for those with a student ID or .edu email address.Iowa has outscored opponents, 37-15, over the seven-game winning streak. The Landers last loss came Feb. 12 vs. Utah. Since the start of February, Iowa has gone 9-3-1-0 and is four points back of the Central Division’s fourth and final playoff spot. Cincinnati and Wheeling each have 59 points, tied for third in the division. Fort Wayne is second with 62.The Heartlanders and Komets have three games left in the season series, all at Xtream Arena. Iowa is 4-2-0-0 against Fort Wayne this season and has won the last two series games.Fort Wayne has won three straight since dropping back-to-back games at Iowa Feb. 25-26. In the Komets’ last game Saturday, the K’s tallied three times in the final half of the third for a 5-3 win vs. Cincinnati.On Friday, Mar. 11 at 7:00 p.m., Iowa plays Fort Wayne again on Military Appreciation Night, presented by GreenState Credit Union. The weekend finale takes place on Saturday, Mar. 12 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Kalamazoo.Tavern Blue Fore Packs are available for all home games this season, which includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas, VIP Parking and discounts from Tavern Blue restaurant. Tickets for the game are also available by calling 319-569-PUCK.Broadcast Coverage: Listen at Iowaheartlanders.com/listenlive or mixlr.com/goheartlanders. Watch on FloHockey.tv.NHL Affiliates: Iowa Heartlanders (Minnesota Wild/Iowa Wild) | Fort Wayne Komets (Vegas Golden Knights/Henderson Silver Knights)Last Time OutIowa scored three times in the first period to dominate a 6-1 win at Kansas City. Iowa has outscored opponents, 7-0, in its last two games in the first period. Kris Bennett (1g, 1a) scored the game’s first goal, assisted by Ryan Kuffner (1g, 2a) and Riese Zmolek (2a). Zach White tallied twice (3 pts.) for his first career multi-goal game. Ben Sokay scored for the sixth straight game, a team record for most consecutive games with a goal.Corbin Kaczperski made 26 saves on 27 shots for his third straight win since returning from the AHL.List of active team records The Heartlanders’ seven-game winning streak is a team record. Iowa has won a franchise-record four straight home games and five consecutive away games. Ben Sokay has scored in a team-record six straight games. Ryan Kuffner is riding a 17-game points streak (5g, 23a), a franchise-best. Iowa has allowed three or fewer goals in seven straight games, a team record.Season Series Iowa and Fort Wayne are coming off a combative back-to-back two weeks ago at Xtream Arena; the Heartlanders outscored the Komets 10-4 in the two wins and the weekend was marred by a combined 219 PIM (105 by Iowa) Feb. 25-26. In Saturday’s 168-PIM affair, There were six fights, six misconducts and five game misconducts in the third period alone and the club’s combined for 146 penalty minutes in the final frame. Iowa took a team-record 76 PIM and Fort Wayne had a season-high 92. Iowa and Fort Wayne have had nine fights this campaign in six games.Kaid Oliver leads all players with five assists and six points in the series. Ben Sokay tops Iowa with three goals (5 pts.). Fort Wayne’s Will Graber is tied for a team-high two goals and tops the K’s with five points in the series. Corbin Kaczperski is 2-1-0-0 with a 1.68 goals against average and .948 save percentage. Fort Wayne has used five netminders in six series games. Sam Harvey allowed eight goals in four periods against the Heartlanders Feb. 25-26.Scouting Fort WayneWill Graber, who plays both ways at forward and defense, tops the Komets with 43 assists and 57 points. Captain Anthony Petruzzelli is the only Komet to hit 20 goals this season and is second on the team with 41 points. Samuel Harvey is 13-5-2-0 with a 2.93 goals against average and .915 save percentage. He has played in nine of the last 13 games and is 5-4-0-0 in those games.  Upcoming Home GamesWednesday, Mar. 9th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Fort Wayne – College Night pres. by Hills BankFriday, Mar. 11th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Fort Wayne – Military Appreciation Night, pres. by GreenState Credit Union (Camo Stress Ball Giveaway, proceeds benefit Salute to Fallen)Saturday, Mar. 12th at 7:00 p.m. vs. KalamazooWednesday, Mar. 23rd at 7:00 p.m. vs. Fort Wayne – College Night pres. by Hills BankThe Heartlanders Season ticket memberships, group tickets, mini-plans, flex vouchers and single-game tickets are available for the Heartlanders inaugural season by calling 319-569-GOAL and visiting iowaheartlanders.com/tickets.