Game 17 Preview: Wichita at Iowa

4-game home stand concludes vs. new opponent

Coralville, IA – The Iowa Heartlanders (4-10-2-0, 10 pts.) and Wichita Thunder (9-5-1-0, 19 pts.) meet for the first time ever Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Xtream Arena. The matchup will conclude the Heartlanders’ four-game home stand.Wednesday’s game is College Night, with discounted tickets for those that have a college ID (deal available by calling Heartlanders offices/showing ID at Box Office). Tickets are available by calling 319-569-GOAL and visiting iowaheartlanders.com/tickets.Broadcast Coverage: Listen at Iowaheartlanders.com/listenlive or mixlr.com/goheartlanders. Watch on FloHockey.tv. NHL Affiliates: Iowa Heartlanders (Minnesota Wild/Iowa Wild) | Wichita Thunder (Edmonton Oilers/Bakersfield Condors)Last Time OutYuki Miura and Kris Bennett each extended career-long point streaks with goals, but Wheeling’s Justin Almeida took over with a four-goal game to down the Landers, 4-2, Saturday at Xtream Arena.Miura scored in the first period to tie the game at one, assisted by Billy Constantinou. The Landers rookie has played in six games this season and recorded at least a point in five (3g, 3a).Bennett is riding an eight-game point streak (6g, 8a) and tops all rookies in goals (9) and points (19) this season.    Iowa leaders In addition to leading all league rookies with nine goals and 19 points, Bennett is tops on the Landers with eight power-play points.Bryce Misley has five power-play goals this campaign, best among league rookies.Hunter Jones ranks second in the league with 336 saves this campaign and has made an average of 30.5 saves per outing. Scouting the ThunderSince starting the season 2-5-0-0, Wichita has rattled off a 7-0-1-0 mark to move to third in the Mountain Division. Forward Jay Dickman tops the Thunder with 11 points (4g) over that span. He has a team-best 16 points this campaign. Rookie Carter Johnson has accumulated three goals and ten points over the 6-0-1 streak. Peter Crinella leads the Thunder with eight goals.Netminder Evan Buitenhuis played the first 15 games of the season. The former Hamilton College standout leads the league in minutes and saves. He won seven of ten starts in the month of November.Season SeriesThe Heartlanders and Thunder match twice this season, both at Xtream Arena. Wichita plays in the Mountain Division with Kansas City, Allen, Utah, Idaho, Tulsa and Rapid City.After the game this week, Wichita next visits Coralville Feb. 23 to conclude the short season series. Because of Wichita’s proximity to its division opponents, the squad has only six games outside of the Mountain Division this season, compared to 19 for the Heartlanders. Upcoming Home GamesThe Heartlanders next home games take place Wed., Dec. 8, Fri., Dec. 10 and Sat., Dec. 11 at Xtream Arena. On Wed., Dec. 8 it’s another College Night with discounted tickets for those with a College ID as the Landers take on the Toledo Walleye.Toledo is in town for big promotional weekend on Friday and Saturday as well. Friday is the team’s first-ever Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are welcome to bring teddy bears and other stuffed animals into the game and throw them on the ice after the Heartlanders score their first goal. All stuffed animals will be donated to local organizations helping those in need during this holiday season.On Saturday, Dec. 11, the Heartlanders rematch the Walleye for another Healthcare Heroes Night, pres. by Mercy Iowa City.Season ticket memberships, group tickets, mini-plans, flex vouchers and single-game tickets are available for the Heartlanders inaugural season by calling 319-569-GOAL and visiting iowaheartlanders.com/tickets.