The Cincinnati Cyclones earned a series split against the Iowa Heartlanders Saturday night at Xtream Arena. The Cyclones downed the Heartlanders, 4-2.

Iowa beat Cincinnati, 5-0, on Friday night, and Heartlanders forward Kris Bennett registered a hat trick in the process.

The Cyclones recorded a second-period hat trick of their own on Saturday, scoring three goals in the frame. After a combined six goals were scored in the first and second periods, no scores were registered by either team during the third.

“Just too many unforced errors,” Heartlanders head coach Gerry Fleming said postgame. “We didn’t manage the puck. We didn’t control the puck like we had to against a good team like this. Against any team, but especially against a good team, you got to manage the puck, and we didn’t help ourselves by turning the puck over, and as a result, they capitalized on most turnovers.”

The Heartlanders struggled with their power play offense throughout Saturday’s game. Iowa went on the power play five times. The Heartlanders did not manage a single score with their extra-man advantage.

“They did a really, really good job of collapsing and protecting,” Fleming said. “You give them a lot of credit, they played a sound, smart hockey game tonight. On their power play tonight, they just collapsed, and we couldn’t penetrate their box.”

Big picture

Iowa is now 27-27-7-1 on the 2021-22 regular season with 10 games remaining. The Heartlanders are still in sixth place in the ECHL Central Division. Their 62 standings points are seven behind the Cyclones, who own the fourth and final playoff spot in the central division.

The Heartlanders are mathematically alive in the hunt for the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Iowa, however, earned just two of the six standings points it could’ve added to its total this week, making a Heartlanders playoff berth unlikely.

Stevens plays first professional contest

Defenseman Jake Stevens signed an amateur tryout contract with the Heartlanders on Saturday. He hit the ice with an Iowa sweater on later that evening.

Stevens recorded two penalty minutes for a delay of game in the first period. He later registered a shot. Stevens finished the night with a plus-2 rating as he was on the ice for both Iowa goals.

Stevens played for Long Island University for most of the 2021-22 season, tallying four goals and 13 assists. He spent his four previous collegiate seasons with St. Lawrence University. The right-handed shooter was born in Naperville, Illinois.

Up next

A stretch of four road games in five days awaits the Heartlanders next week. Iowa will not play any more home contests until April 6.

The Heartlanders will face the Kalamazoo Wings this Wednesday, then the Cyclones on April 1 and 2 before wrapping up the journey against the Indy Fuel on April 3.

These contests represent the second-to-last road trip for the Heartlanders this year.