Fort Wayne, IN – Iowa Heartlanders forward Gavin Hain registered three points (1g, 2a) and the Heartlanders opened up the Central Division Semifinals with a 5-3 win over the Fort Wayne Komets Friday at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, taking a 1-0 series edge.
Hain scored the game-winning goal with 10:20 to go in the third, making it a 4-2 game. The Heartlanders scored the first three goals, but Fort Wayne scored two in the third early to cut the deficit to one. Adam Goodsir scored a short-handed goal with 6:22 to go in the third, extending the edge to 5-2.
Kyle McClellan blocked 24 shots for his first playoff victory. Brett Brochu stopped 27 in defeat.
Matt Sop, Dakota Raabe and Keltie Jeri-Leon gave Iowa a 3-0 edge before the Komets comeback. Sop scored Iowa’s first-ever Kelly Cup Playoffs goal on a tapper from the left post at 13:23 of the first, assisted by Will Zmolek and Hain.
Jeri-Leon’s goal came on a rip from the mid slot at 14:36 of the 2nd on the power play. Iowa and Fort Wayne each scored a pair of power-play goals.
Tickets to Heartlanders Home Games
Iowa visits Fort Wayne for Game 2 of the series Saturday at 6:35 p.m. with watch parties at Iowa Athletic Club in Coralville and Brothers Bar & Grill in Iowa City.
Home Playoff Tickets are available for our first-round series against Fort Wayne at iowaheartlanders.com/playoffs.
Iowa is at home on Monday, Apr. 21 at 7:05 p.m. for Game 3 of the Central Division Semifinals, with a Heartlanders Playoff Rally Towel giveaway brought to you by the Iowa City Sports Commission. Tuesday, Apr. 22 at 7:05 p.m. is Game 4 featuring a Heartlanders Playoff Cowbell Giveaway thanks to Pinseekers. Game 5 (if necessary) is Thursday., Apr. 24 at 7:05 p.m.
Available NOW! Grab $10 online youth tickets to any Heartlanders home game! Purchase 1 regular-priced ticket and get $10 online youth tickets (age 17 and under) to any seating section (excluding glass/premium seats).
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