Game 24 Preview: Kansas City at Iowa

Independence, MO – The Iowa Heartlanders (7-13-2-1, 17 pts.) seek their first three game winning streak of the season, visiting the Mountain Division’s Kansas City Mavericks (10-12-1-0, 21 pts.) Saturday at 7:05 p.m.The Landers dropped 3-1 Friday in Kansas City to snap a two-game winning streak. Riese Zmolek scored his first professional goal in defeat.Iowa is 2-2-0-0 against the Mavs this season, both losses coming in Kansas City. This is the second of four straight meetings between the clubs; following a road rematch tomorrow, the Heartlanders are home Dec. 26 and Dec. 27 vs. Kansas City. Broadcast Coverage: Listen at Iowaheartlanders.com/listenlive or mixlr.com/goheartlanders. Watch on FloHockey.tv. NHL Affiliates: Iowa Heartlanders (Minnesota Wild/Iowa Wild) | Kansas City Mavericks (Calgary Flames/Stockton Heat)Last Time OutRiese Zmolek scored his first professional goal in a 3-1 Iowa Heartlanders defeat at the Kansas City Mavericks Friday at Cable Dahmer Arena. Zmolek scored his first goal at :22 of the second, the quickest the Heartlanders have scored to open any period in team history. The power-play marker came on a centering pass from Zach White to the deep slot. Cole Stallard also assisted to help provide the Landers a 1-0 edge. Zmolek captained Minnesota State last season.Theo Calvas scored his second career goal and tied the game at 7:22 of the second, then Marcus Crawford (6:17 of 3rd) and Ben Johnson (15:38 of 3rd) scored to give Kansas City a 3-1 advantage.Scouting the MavericksTad O’Had leads the Mavericks and is in his second full year as team Head Coach. Prior to his time with the Mavs, O’Had spent four seasons as Associate Head Coach of the Florida Everblades and three seasons as assistant coach.The Mavs have been helped by the experience and age of their players; entering this week the team was the third-most experienced (2432 combined ECHL games) in the league and boasted an average age of 26 (league average: 25). By contrast the Heartlanders are the league’s third-youngest roster (average age: 24.4) and least-experienced by ECHL games played (485).Shawn Weller and Darik Angeli are the “eldest” Mavericks. Angeli is 31 years old and Weller is 35.Iowa leaders Kris Bennett, currently called up to the AHL Iowa Wild, leads the Heartlanders with ten goals, 11 assists and 21 points. Yuki Miura is second on the team with six goals. Billy Constantinou tops Iowa defensemen with ten points (4g). He has three goals this season vs. Kansas City.Upcoming Home GamesIowa is back at home for three games Dec. 26, Dec. 27 and Dec. 29 for Family Week!Sunday, Dec. 26 at 3:00 p.m. vs. Kansas City: Postgame skate, presented by Family Dental CenterMonday, Dec. 27 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Kansas City: ZOOperstars appearance at game

Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Tulsa: College Night with discounted tickets for those with a .edu email address or college ID.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.