The Indy Fuel fell to the Iowa Heartlanders 4-1 on Saturday night in Coralville, Iowa, after struggling to overcome Iowa’s offensive pressure and early momentum. The loss marks the Fuel’s sixth game this season where they’ve been outshot by an opponent, with Iowa finishing ahead 26-22 in shots on goal.

First Period: Iowa Strikes Early

The Heartlanders set the tone just 56 seconds into the game when captain Yuki Miura netted his eighth goal of the season, assisted by teammates Raabe and Miotto. A moment of controversy followed when officials reviewed a delayed high-stick penalty involving Indy’s Ryan Gagnier but determined that Lombardi’s stick hit his own teammate, clearing Iowa of wrongdoing.

Indy caught a break later in the period as Iowa’s Matthew Sop’s shot hit the crossbar, avoiding a deeper deficit. The frame ended with tensions rising but no penalties assessed, and the teams tied with seven shots each.

Second Period: Iowa Builds Their Lead

Iowa wasted no time extending their lead in the second period, with Miotto scoring just 25 seconds in, assisted once again by Raabe. The choppy period saw numerous stoppages for icing and offsides, stalling the Fuel’s offensive rhythm.

Indy defenseman Chris Cameron had several solid scoring opportunities but couldn’t convert. Tempers flared late in the period when Ty Farmer and Iowa’s Will Calverley attempted to drop the gloves but were separated by officials, earning both roughing penalties. The teams remained even in shots at 16 apiece heading into the final frame.

Third Period: Fuel Rally Falls Short

The Fuel showed resilience in the third period, taking advantage of a delay of game penalty against Iowa to score their lone goal. Nathan Burke ended his scoring drought with a power-play goal at 15:33, assisted by Bryan Lemos and Kyle Maksimovich. It was Burke’s fifth goal of the season and first since November 27.

Indy’s hopes for a comeback were dampened by a double-minor high-sticking penalty to Cam Hausinger, though the Fuel successfully killed the penalty to keep the score within reach. Despite their efforts to equalize, the Heartlanders sealed the game late in the period with two goals—Zach Dubinsky’s at 18:32 and Sop’s empty-netter with Miura tallying his third point of the night.

The loss drops Indy to a challenging position as they prepare for another clash with the Heartlanders on Sunday afternoon.