Heartlanders start 2024 slate Saturday

Fort Wayne, IN – The Iowa Heartlanders, proud ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild, start the 2024 calendar year with back-to-back games against the Fort Wayne Komets Saturday at 6:35 p.m.

The Heartlanders are playing the fourth of seven straight on the road. The team has dropped the first three games of the road trip; at Rapid City last week, Iowa dropped two straight one-goal games in regulation and lost by two on Dec. 29. Last time out, Iowa and Rapid City traded goals until the final minute of the third when Keltie Jeri-Leon scored his seventh goal ever against the Heartlanders to beat Iowa, 3-2. 

The Heartlanders outshot Rapid City in two of the three games last week and did so while playing with nine healthy forwards for most of the weekend. Rapid City’s goaltenders allowed six goals on 109 shots (.945 save percentage). 

The Komets and Heartlanders are facing off for the sixth time; Iowa has won two games and lost one in the shootout (2-3-0-1 record). The last time the teams played, the Komets scored two power-play goals and an empty-net strike to silence Iowa, 4-1. 

Get tickets for Heartlanders Home games: Iowaheartlanders.com/tickets

Game Day Guide: 

6:20 PM: FloHockey broadcast and audio broadcast starts.

6:35 PM: Puck Drop 

Watch on FloHockey: https://flosports.link/3tVsLmd

Listen on Mixlr: mixlr.com/goheartlanders

 

Need to know
- The Heartlanders are looking for their first win since Dec. 21 against Fort Wayne. 

- The Heartlanders are ten for their last 11 on the penalty kill.

- Max Johnson scored his first ECHL goal of the season last Sunday at Rapid City.

Affiliates: Iowa Heartlanders (Minnesota Wild/Iowa Wild) | Fort Wayne Komets (Edmonton Oilers/Bakersfield Condors)

I-80 Corridor remains strong

The Heartlanders have seen a flurry of roster moves over the last two weeks that currently sees nine players recalled to the American Hockey League’s Iowa Wild over the last 3+ weeks.

Currently, forwards Casey Dornbach, Gavin Hain, Max Cajkovic, Brett Budgell, Davis Koch, Louis Boudon, defensemen Davis Spacek and Kyle Masters and goaltender Peyton Jones have either been recalled from loan, reassigned to AHL Iowa or signed PTOs with the Wild.

To make up for this, Iowa acquired forward Ty Enns from Rapid City for future considerations, signed forward Steven Leonard and picked up forward Vincent de Mey off waivers. 

Goody getting goodies

Forward Adam Goodsir registered an assist Sunday at Rapid City, giving the rookie points in back-to-back games for the second time in his career. 

The 25-year-old has seven points (2g) in 22 games this season. Iowa acquired the 6-foot, 194-lb., left-handed shot from Worcester to complete a future considerations trade in November. 

His first Iowa goal came Nov. 26 against Wheeling. 

DeRidder steps up in key spot 

Goaltender Drew DeRidder stopped a career-best 39 shots in a 3-2 loss Sunday at Rapid City. Despite the defeat, DeRidder has blocked at 37 shots in three of his four starts this season.

The native of Fenton, MI earned his first win of the season with 37 saves against Utah Nov. 18, helping Iowa sweep the Grizzlies at Xtream Arena. DeRidder has made six career appearances going back to his professional debut with Kalamazoo last April and has generated at least 30 stops in four of his five starts 

Next up
Iowa continues a seven-game road trip with at Fort Wayne Sun., Jan. 7 at 4:00 p.m.

The Heartlanders are next at home Mon., Jan. 15 at 2:05 p.m. vs. Cincinnati – schools are off for the day and bring your kids out for a great day at Xtream Arena. Tickets in the seating bowl are $15 for every section!

Iowa continues a three-game homestand vs. Wheeling on Fri., Jan. 19 at 6:35 p.m. on Affiliation Night presented by DASH Auctions, celebrating Iowa’s proud affiliation with the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild. 

On Sat., Jan. 20 at 6:05 p.m. against Wheeling, the Heartlanders are back at Xtream Arena for Dash’s Birthday Party, presented by Paul Park Real Estate. Join the Heartlanders mascot Dash and dozens of his mascot friends for a family-friendly Saturday night at Xtream Arena. On the 20th, youth tickets for the game are $5 with the purchase of an adult ticket. 

Join the fun at Xtream Arena in the 2023-24 season

Here are some of the best options to make sure you experience the family-friendly entertainment of Heartlanders Hockey at Xtream Arena this season!

Heartlanders 3-Pack: The perfect gift to catch Heartlanders Hockey! Receive one ticket to each of the three Heartlanders games listed below and $25 merchandise credit in The Silo-Heartlanders Team Store. Friday, January 19 @ 6:35pm – Minnesota Wild Affiliation Night | Saturday, February 10 @ 6:00pm - Cancer Awareness Night | Saturday, April 13 @ 6:00pm - Fan Appreciation Night 

18-game plans: With more than half the home season remaining, join us with an 18-game ticket plan, including the many perks, savings and advantages of being a half-season member. 

12-game plans: Grab tickets to your favorite 12 games! 12-game plans include savings on individually-priced tickets!

Flex Plans: Enjoy the service, savings and game dates that work best for you! Flex plans include “any game” ticket vouchers that are good for any home game during the 2023-24 regular season.