The Iowa Heartlanders extended their three-game losing streak to four after suffering a 2-1 loss to the visiting Cincinnati Cyclones on Friday evening.
Three minutes and nineteen seconds after the puck dropped in the first period, Justin Vaive of the Cyclones put one in the back of the net on a two on one breakaway, foreshadowing a tough evening for Iowa.
A few seconds later, Luke Mobley of the Heartlanders was charged with a hooking penalty and was sent to the penalty box, leaving Iowa down a man. Despite having their backs against the wall, goaltender William Rosseau helped out with a few saves to keep the score 1-0.
Rousseau’s effort seemed to ignite the Landers, and the game changed at the 11:04 mark in the first. Elliot Desnoyers shoveled a pretty pass to Issac Johnson from behind the cage, and Johnson responded by laying the puck in the top shelf to tie the game, 1-1.
After a collective sigh of relief from the crowd, the Heartlanders continued to fight hard and play physical throughout the remainder of the game.
“I really like that the boys had a fighting mentality tonight,” Yuki Miura said. “We kept forechecking, getting the puck, and we scored off of that so that is something we need to continue to do.”
The second period saw no goals but more scrapping between the Landers and the Cyclones. Each team was awarded two power plays, but weren’t able to cash in on the opportunities.
“We just need to shoot a couple more pucks, be more precise with our passes, and the rest will take of its self,” Max Patterson said. “You’re not going to score every power play but if we keep getting chances they’ll eventually go in.”
The tussling continued late into the third period, but a costly tripping penalty on Miura shifted the tide. Less than one minute later, Ben King scored the go-ahead goal for the Cyclones.
“I was just chasing a guy and tried to finish the hit and I got called for a hit on the leg,” Miura said. “With ten minutes left in the game I cannot do that so I just have to learn from that and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Despite receiving two more power play opportunities after the goal, Iowa was unable to equalize and were defeated by the Cyclones in a 2-1 battle. Rousseau saved 24 out of 26 shots in the loss.
“We worked really hard, everyone brought energy and our enthusiasm on the bench was really good,” Miura said. “Everyone believed we would tie the game at the end, it didn’t work out but those things happen. Sometimes you work hard, play great and the outcome still doesn’t come.”
“We were short up front but the boys worked their bags off and that’s what we need to continue to do going into Sunday,” Patterson said.
Up Next
The Heartlanders return to action on Sunday, Nov. 23 for a rematch against Cincinnati at Xtream Arena. Puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m. local time.