Iowa Heartlanders news release
Indianapolis, IN – Iowa Heartlanders goaltender Drew DeRidder stopped 45 Indy Fuel shots and two more in the shootout to lead Iowa to a 4-3 victory Friday at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. DeRidder stopped 15 shots in the third and five in overtime. Casey Dornbach and Louis Boudon scored in the shootout for Iowa.
Iowa has won six straight away games, a team record for longest road winning streak in team history. The Heartlanders also survived three Indy comebacks; Iowa took a 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 lead before requiring extra hockey to win.
The Heartlanders scored first to take a 1-0 lead at 9:50 of the first. Dornbach received a centering pass from Pavel Novak. On its way to him, Dakota Raabe redirected the puck to Dornbach and the rookie shoved it over the goaltender’s pad for his 10th of the season.
After Indy tied it at one, Ben Brinkman registered his third goal of the campaign on a rush opportunity. Once again, Brinkman aimed over the pad but beneath the blocker of Weeks and found twine, assisted by Dornbach and Boudon.
In the second period, Jake Durflinger broke a 2-2 tie with 1:50 left in the second, aiming a top-shelf wrist shot over the shoulder of Mitchell Weeks (shootout loss, 25 saves).
Indy forced overtime with a tying goal from Chris Cameron at 10:58 of the third.
The Heartlanders’ road trip continues at Toledo Sat., Mar. 2 at 6:15 p.m. and Sun., Mar. 3 at 4:15 p.m.
Iowa’s seven-game road trip concludes with a set at Wichita on Fri., Mar. 8 at 7:00 p.m. and Sat., Mar. 9 at 7:00 p.m
The Heartlanders are next at home to take on the Wheeling Nailers March 13-16 for three games at Xtream Arena. Iowa hosts Wheeling on Wed., Mar. 13 at 6:35 p.m. and Fri., Mar. 15 at 6:35 p.m. March 16th is St. Hat Trick’s Day, featuring a Heartlanders Mascot Dash Bobblehead giveaway to the first 500 fans, theme jerseys available for auction and a special appearance by the Kelly Cup, the ECHL’s championship trophy.
On Fri., Mar. 22 at 6:35 p.m., the Heartlanders oppose the Wichita Thunder in the 100th home game in team history, featuring $5 youth tickets (online only, with purchase of adult ticket).
Sat., Mar. 23 at 6:05 p.m. is Heartland Heroes Night against Wichita, honoring the frontline workers that selflessly serve eastern Iowa.
On Sun., Mar. 24 at 2:05 p.m., Iowa wraps up the weekend against Wichita with Faith and Family Day, a team photo giveaway, and the final postgame skate of the season.