Heartlanders extend points streak to record 8 games, fall in shootout at Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN – The Iowa Heartlanders tied the game in the final seven minutes of the third, but dropped in the skills competition to the Fort Wayne Komets, 4-3, Thursday at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Despite the shootout loss, Iowa is on the team’s longest points streak in team history (8 games, 7-0-0-1). 

Davis Koch (2g) scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season with 6:13 to go, tying the game at three on a rebound jam at net front. 

In the shootout, Jack Dugan scored the game-winning strike in the second round, shooting it by Peyton Jones. Jones has helped Iowa earn at least a point in seven straight starts and took the shootout loss despite 29 saves. Brett Brochu came on in relief of Tyler Park for the third and Brochu made 16 saves for his second pro victory.

Iowa and Fort Wayne each scored twice in an explosive and quick-scoring opening frame. Koch started the scoring at 6:43 of the first on the power play, depositing a cross-slot feed for a redirect in at the left post, assisted by Landon Kosior and Louis Boudon. 

Two minutes later, Jake Durflinger ripped home a top-shelf snipe for an unassisted goal. Durflinger stole the puck at neutral ice and raced to the right slot on a two-on-one before scoring.

The Komets tied it at two with back-to-back power-play goals from Matthew Wedman and Ture Linden.  

Box Score

The Heartlanders continue the road trip at Wheeling Sat., Nov 25 at 6:10 p.m. and Sun., Nov. 26 at 3:10 p.m. Iowa is next at home Dec. 15-17 vs. Toledo, which includes the annual Teddy Bear Toss game on Sat., Dec. 16 at 6:05 p.m.

Rose Club Memberships & Tickets Now Available For 2023-24 Season
Rose Club Season Ticket Memberships, Partial Plans, Mini-Plans, Flex Tickets and Single-Game Tickets are now available for the 2023-24 season, the Heartlanders’ third in the ECHL. Call 319-569-goal  or visit iowaheartlanders.com/tickets for more information.