Indy Fuel defeat Iowa Heartlanders 2-1

Fuel maintain playoff position with third-period comeback

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:55am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an ECHL hockey game, with sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange representing the players, puck, and arena.The Indy Fuel's hard-fought comeback win over the Iowa Heartlanders showcases the intensity and unpredictability of ECHL playoff hockey.Coralville Today

The Indy Fuel scored two unanswered goals in the third period to defeat the Iowa Heartlanders 2-1 in ECHL action. Matt Petgrave and Cody Laskosky found the back of the net for Indy, which held onto a potential playoff spot as the regular season winds down.

Why it matters

The Fuel are battling for a playoff position in the ECHL's Central Division, and this win helps them maintain their hold on one of the final postseason spots with just four games remaining in the regular season.

The details

The Heartlanders struck first, with Grant Ahcan scoring on the power play late in the second period to give Iowa a 1-0 lead. But the Fuel responded in the third, as Petgrave tied the game early in the period before Laskosky netted the game-winner on the power play. Indy outshot Iowa 37-24 for the game, with Mitchell Weeks making 23 saves to earn the victory.

  • The game was played on April 11, 2026.
  • Ahcan's power-play goal gave Iowa a 1-0 lead with 1:33 left in the second period.
  • Petgrave scored the tying goal for Indy 5:30 into the third period.
  • Laskosky's power-play goal, which proved to be the game-winner, came later in the third period.

The players

Matt Petgrave

Forward for the Indy Fuel who scored the tying goal in the third period.

Cody Laskosky

Forward for the Indy Fuel who scored the game-winning goal on the power play in the third period.

Grant Ahcan

Forward for the Iowa Heartlanders who scored the opening goal on the power play in the second period.

Mitchell Weeks

Goaltender for the Indy Fuel who made 23 saves to earn the victory.

Cameron Butler

Forward for the Iowa Heartlanders who was penalized for hooking, leading to Laskosky's game-winning goal.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to come out strong in the third period and we were able to get those two big goals to get the win.”

— Matt Petgrave, Forward, Indy Fuel

What’s next

The Fuel have four games remaining in the regular season as they look to solidify their playoff position in the Central Division.

The takeaway

This comeback victory keeps the Indy Fuel in the hunt for a playoff spot in the ECHL's Central Division, as they continue to battle for one of the final postseason berths with just a handful of games left in the regular season.