Fort Wayne evens series with the Iowa Heartlanders

CEDAR RAPIDS - A good start. A real good start.

But that was about it for the Iowa Heartlanders in Game 2 of their first-round ECHL playoff series against Fort Wayne.

Jack Dugan had two goals and two assists as the Komets ran away Saturday night to a 5-2 win over Iowa to even this best-of-seven series. Things flip to Coralville for the next three games Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Initial puck drop is at 7 all three nights at Xtream Arena.

The Heartlanders had good jump early in this one, ultimately resulting in a Will Caverley goal 3:13 into the game. He deflected a shot from defenseman Nick Masters that got past Fort Wayne goaltender Martin Brochu.

At one point, Iowa had an 8-1 shots on goal edge, but Fort Wayne was able to regroup and score twice before first-period’s end for a 2-1 lead. Alex Aleardi had the first one, his second of the series, at 11:48 of the period, then the Komets went ahead for turned out to be good on Blake Murray’s goal off a rebound with 1:24 to go.

Dugan scored his first goal a little less than six minutes into the second period for a 3-1 Fort Wayne lead. Defenseman Jules Boscq scored for the Heartlanders 27 seconds into the third, but Dugan countered less than a minute later and helped set up a goal by Kirill Tyutyayev at the 3:20 mark.

Fort Wayne finshed with a 30-25 shots on goal edge. Iowa went with William Rousseau in net for this game after starting Kyle McClellan in Friday night’s Game 1.

“Tonight’s game started well for us,” said Heartlanders Coach Derek Damon. “Thought we got away from our game in the second period. It’s going to be a great series. Two good teams battling hard. Looking forward to being in our arena this week.”

Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com