Game 56 Preview: Fort Wayne at Iowa

Iowa looks to get back to winning ways on Military Appreciation Night

Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Heartlanders (24-24-6-1, 55 pts.) and Fort Wayne Komets (29-19-5-1, 64 pts.) tangle in the second game of a back-to-back Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Xtream Arena. The Heartlanders had a team-record seven-game winning streak snapped Wednesday vs. the Komets. Friday is Military Appreciation Night presented by GreenState Credit Union with a Camo Stress Ball giveaway. Proceeds from tickets benefit Salute to Fallen, which benefits multiple causes including assistance for active, reserve and veteran military members and their families.Iowa has home games Friday and Saturday this week; the weekend finale takes place on Saturday, Mar. 12 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Kalamazoo.The Landers’ 6-0 defeat Wednesday was the fourth time they’ve been shutout this season; three have been against Fort Wayne. Iowa is 4-3-0-0 against Fort Wayne this season and each team has scored 17 goals through the first seven series games.The Komets are on a four-game winning streak and have outscored foes 23-9 in those four games.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.Promo: Military Appreciation Night, presented by GreenState Credit UnionBroadcast 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 OutThe Heartlanders took 34 shots, but Sam Harvey stopped them all for his second professional shutout in a 6-0 Komets win. Fort Wayne scored four times in the second, including three in the final 4:11 of the frame, to take a 5-0 lead into the third. Dereck Baribeau made 38 saves in defeat. Jake Smith led the Heartlanders with seven shots on goal. Connor Corcoran and Drake Rymsha scored twice for Fort Wayne.End of a few team records In addition to the seven-game winning streak ending, the Komets halted Ben Sokay’s team record for consecutive games with a goal (6 games) and Ryan Kuffner’s 17-game points streak (8g, 22a). Kuffner’s 17-game streak was the second longest in the league this season, trailing Greenville’s Liam Pecararo (22 games).Kuffner also set the ECHL’s season high for most consecutive games with an assist (13 straight), which was the league’s longest streak since the 2015-16 season (Allen, Chad Costello, 19 games).Scouting Fort Wayne Friday Including Friday’s game, the Komets have 18 games left. Two are against Iowa and all 18 are against the Central Division. The club plays Cincinnati in three straight games next week, three are left against arch-rival Toledo, four remain against Kalamazoo and five are against Wheeling. Half of the Komets’ remaining games are at home. Including last trip to Iowa Feb. 25-26, the Komets are in the midst of a stretch of nine of twelve on the road.  Through the first six games of that stretch, Fort Wayne is 4-2-0-0.Season Series FridayThe Landers and Komets have two more games left at Xtream Arena, Friday and Mar. 23, to conclude a nine-game series. Iowa has the only come-from-behind win of the series (12/4 at FW) and the Heartlanders have scored the game’s first goal three times. When scoring first, Iowa is 3-0-0-0 and Fort Wayne is 3-1-0-0.Fort Wayne has bagged most of its series wins against teams currently fighting for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th spots in the Central Division. The Komets have gone 6-2-1-0 against Cincinnati, 7-3-0-0 against Kalamazoo and 3-0-2-0 vs. Wheeling. Against the other three Central Division squads, Fort Wayne is 9-12-2-0.The Landers, by contrast, have been fairly even against other Central teams. Besides a 3-6-0-0 mark against Toledo, the Heartlanders are 12-12-3 against the division.Upcoming Home GamesFriday, 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.