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Last season, the Fort Wayne Komets missed the playoffs for the first time since 2012-13. It was an unfamiliar position for a team that had hoisted the Kelly Cup as recently as 2021 and captured six championships in four different leagues since 2002.
With less than a month to go in the 2024-25 regular season, the Komets are within striking distance of being back on familiar ground. Heading into this weekend, the club is seven points away from clinching a playoff berth with 12 regular-season games remaining.
The Komets (36-19-5) could close that gap even further when they travel to Coralville to take on the Iowa Heartlanders (31-20-10). Iowa has a lot to play for as well, eyeing their own playoff spot for the first time since entering the ECHL in 2021.
In two previous meetings with the Heartlanders, Fort Wayne came away with victories. The team went 2-1 last weekend, splitting two games with the Wheeling Nailers before besting the Fuel in Indy.
Jack Dugan, last season’s Team MVP, is having another outstanding campaign in 2024-25. After putting up 80 points (20-60-80) in 70 games last season, Dugan currently leads the team in points with 66 (20-46-66). He’s just one goal shy of the team lead of 21 held by Alex Aleardi and his 46 helpers lead the club. He also leads the Komets with seven power-play tallies.
Kyle Mayhew leads the league in power-play points with 27 and total points among defensemen with 57 (11-41-57).
Goaltender Brett Brochu leads the league with 981 saves, and he is 4-1-0 when making 40 or more stops in a game.
Fort Wayne is tied for second in the ECHL in road wins with 20 and are outscoring their opponents 78-54 in the third period. The club has seven wins when trailing after two periods.
Fort Wayne currently sits second in the Central Division, nine points behind the Toledo Walleye, although the Komets have two games in hand.
The Heartlanders are glad to get back home after being away for the last 10 games. They can leave the suitcases in the closet for a while, as they kick off a 10-game homestand with the Komets.
Heartlanders forward Yuki Miura leads the team with 21 goals and 38 points. Jules Boscq leads defensemen with 26 points (7-19-26). The Heartlanders are 16-5-3-2 at home this season.
Iowa is tied for second in the league with nine shorthanded goals.
The Heartlanders are third in the Central and trail Fort Wayne by five points, so this weekend's three-game series is crucial for both teams.
Puck drop for Friday is set for 7 Pm CT. Saturday’s contest is scheduled for 6 Pm and Sunday’s game is at 3 Pm.
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