One wonders if the overtime game and shootout in Wheeling Friday night, followed by a late return trip to Fishers, took some energy out of the Indy Fuel. Whatever the reason, the Iowa Heartlanders were the sharper team Saturday night, skating past Indy with a 3-1 victory.

The opening period ended in a 1-1 tie, with both teams capitalizing on the power play. Iowa struck first when Kelti Jeri-Leon scored nearly halfway through the period. The Fuel answered with their only goal of the night when Brett Moravec found the back of the net with just under six minutes remaining.

Tempers flared late in the first period, leading to a string of penalties. Iowa briefly enjoyed a one-man advantage but was unable to convert before the intermission.

The second period was largely uneventful until Jonny Sorenson slipped a shorthanded goal past Fuel goaltender Owen Flores, a score that proved to be the game-winner.

Iowa added an insurance goal with less than six minutes remaining in the third period when Nick Carabin scored to make it 3-1. The Fuel pulled the goaltender in the final minutes but were unable to generate a late comeback.

Before the game, the Fuel asked the sellout crowd of 6,557 to observe a moment of silence in honor of Hailey Buzbee, the 17-year-old who was found dead in Ohio on Sunday.

The Fuel return home to the Fishers Event Center on Wednesday to face the Wheeling Nailers.