Coralville, Iowa- After three games in three days, the Heartlanders’ sweep of the Wichita Thunder has Derek Damon’s squad looking to take their hot streak on the road and keep the Kansas City Mavericks from getting to 100 points on the season this week (Currently at 98 Points).
Iowa’s current hot streak lies in their defensive prowess, as conceding just four goals in 180 minutes of hockey and just seven in their last five games, the defense and the Jones duo will take center stage at the Cable Dahmer Arena against Kansas City’s Average of 4.3 goals per game and two of the league’s top 5 scorers in Patrick Curry and Nolan Walker. With Drew DeRidder signing a PTO with the Rochester Americans, AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres, the Jones duo will likely be in net for the rest of the season if they remain healthy.
Over the weekend with Wichita, Pavel Novak led the way offensively, delivering the game-winner on March 22nd just six seconds into a power play, complemented by Jonny Sorenson’s first career pro goal. When asked, Derek Damon said simply, “There’s a reason we got him”. You can relive his special moment here:
Novak Continued to deliver, scoring two more in the 3rd period of March 23rd’s game, which was enough to be decisive following Budgell’s 12th goal of the season earlier in the game. Pavel Novak caught up to Louis Boudon and Brett Budgell in goals per game, averaging approximately one goal every three games.
Sunday’s Game started with an unbelievable goal from the unsung hero of the weekend, Liam Coughlin, who was able to find the back of Trevor Gorsuch’s net despite shooting from behind the goal line:
While this goal was incredible, Coughlin earned his stripes on the weekend with his defense against Wichita’s man advantages, intercepting and clearing the puck against both power plays and 6 vs. 5 attacks from the Thunder.
As Iowa makes the trip down to Kansas City, Dakota Raabe has been moved from regular reserves to injured reserve. With this absence, Damon will call on Rookie Riley Hughes (#13) to produce down the stretch.
The Heartlanders’ next home game will be on Wednesday, April 3rd, when the division-leading Toledo Walleye come to Xtream Arena.
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