Game 22 Preview: Toledo at Iowa

Heartlanders look to build off big Friday win

Coralville, IA – The Iowa Heartlanders (6-12-2-1, 15 pts.) play the Toledo Walleye (13-5-0-1, 27 pts.) for the third straight game Saturday at 7:00 p.m. on Healthcare Heroes Night, pres. by Mercy Iowa City. Tickets are available by visiting iowaheartlanders.com/tickets.The Heartlanders earned their first win against Toledo in the season series Friday; Joe Widmar scored the shootout-winning goal, Zach White scored in his first ECHL game and Trevin Kozlowski made 33 saves in a 3-2 victory. Cole Stallard scored the Teddy Bear Toss goal, the first time the Heartlanders have hosted a Teddy Bear Toss.Iowa and Toledo are facing off for the seventh time already this season. The season series has nine games.Following this game, the Landers face the Kansas City Mavericks in four straight games; twice on the road Dec. 17 and Dec. 18 and twice at home (Dec. 26 and Dec. 27). Broadcast Coverage: Listen at Iowaheartlanders.com/listenlive or mixlr.com/goheartlanders. Watch on FloHockey.tv. NHL Affiliates: Iowa Heartlanders (Minnesota Wild/Iowa Wild) | Toledo Walleye (Detroit Red Wings/Grand Rapids Griffins)Last Time OutThe Iowa Heartlanders won their first shootout in team history, 3-2, against the Toledo Walleye on the team’s first ever Teddy Bear Toss Friday at Xtream Arena.Joe Widmar was the hero with the shootout-winning goal in the bottom of the third round, the only score of the skills competition. Trevin Kozlowski continued his hot streak saving 33 in the win and all three in the shootout. Over his last four games, Kozlowski is averaging 37 saves a game.Zach White scored his first ECHL goal Friday.Iowa leaders Kris Bennett, currently called up to the AHL Iowa Wild, leads the Heartlanders with ten goals, 11 assists and 21 points. Bryce Misley is second on the squad with five goals and 13 points. Billy Constantinou tops Iowa defensemen with nine points (4g).Scouting the WalleyeToledo has had a franchise in the ECHL since 1991, when the Toledo Storm began play. The Walleye and the Storm are the same franchise; the Storm went dormant for two seasons from 2007-09 and changed their team name to the Walleye.At the time of the Storm’s founding, there were 15 teams in the league, including in defunct markets such as Erie, Knoxville, Dayton and Johnstown. Toledo had the best record in the league in their first season, then won back-to-back championships in 1993 and 1994.In total, the Storm/Walleye have qualified for the postseason 20 times in 26 seasons in which playoffs have been held. Upcoming Home GamesThe Heartlanders are home to face Kansas City on Sunday, Dec. 26 (3:00 p.m.) and Monday Dec. 27 at 7:00 p.m.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.