Game 9 Preview: Indy at Iowa

‘Landers clash with Fuel again, this time at Xtream Arena

Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Heartlanders (1-6-1-0, 3 pts.) play the first of two home games this weekend at Xtream Arena Friday at 7:00 p.m. against the division rival Indy Fuel (2-3-0-1, 5 pts.).This is the second matchup between the clubs. The first happened a week ago and the Fuel won, 6-3, in Indianapolis. The Heartlanders built an early 3-1 lead halfway through the first, but were held scoreless the rest of the game by netminder Cale Morris. Iowa tallied three goals on the club’s first six shots on strikes from Bryce Misley, Jack Billings and Joe Widmar.The Heartlanders also announced the team’s leadership group before the start of play this weekend; forward Kris Bennett was named the first captain in team history. Defensemen Jake Linhart and Riese Zmolek were named alternate captains.Last time out, Iowa lost in Cincinnati, 6-1. Jake Linhart scored his first goal of the season against the Cyclones and has three points this campaign. Widmar (2g) and Jack Billings (4g) each have seven points to lead the Heartlanders.Indy dropped in a shootout to Cincinnati, 3-2, in the Fuel’s last game Tuesday. Chad Yetman tied the game midway through the third and paces the squad with three goals and seven points.  Morris denied 38 of 40 shots, including six in overtime to force the shootout.The Heartlanders play their second home game this weekend Sunday at 3:00 p.m. vs. Kalamazoo.  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.Broadcast Coverage: Listen at Iowaheartlanders.com/listenlive or mixlr.com/goheartlanders. Watch on FloHockey.tv. NHL Affiliates: Iowa Heartlanders (Minnesota Wild/Iowa Wild) | Indy Fuel (Chicago Blackhawks, Rockford IceHogs)Storylines:- The Heartlanders and Fuel play eight times this season; the clubs kick off the new year against each other in Indy Jan. 2. The Fuel next visit Xtream Arena Jan. 26.- This is the last home stretch for the Heartlanders before Thanksgiving week, when they play four home games from Nov. 24 - Dec. 1. - Friday’s game is the first game of a “three-in-three” for the Fuel. They play the next three days traveling to Kalamazoo and Toledo.