Game 27 Preview: Tulsa at Iowa

Landers look for points in 4 straight, oppose Oilers

Coralville, IA  – The Iowa Heartlanders (9-13-3-1, 22 pts.) seek their longest points streak of the season, gunning for at least a point in their fourth straight game Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Xtream Arena against the Tulsa Oilers (13-9-0-1, 27 pts.).The Heartlanders are 2-0-1-0 in their last three games and won their last game, 3-2, against Kansas City Monday at home. Wednesday’s game marks the first time the Landers are playing an opponent other than Kansas City in more than two weeks; Iowa went 2-1-1-0 in four straight games against the Mavericks from Dec. 17-27.   Today’s Promotion: College Night with discounted tickets for those with a .edu email address or college ID. Broadcast Coverage: Listen at Iowaheartlanders.com/listenlive or mixlr.com/goheartlanders. Watch on FloHockey.tv. NHL Affiliates: Iowa Heartlanders (Minnesota Wild/Iowa Wild) | Tulsa Oilers (Anaheim Ducks, San Diego Gulls)Last Time OutThe Heartlanders received a game-winning goal from Jack Billings, a “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” from Zach White and 23 saves from Jack Berry in a 3-2 win over Kansas City Monday at Xtream Arena. The Landers scored the game’s first two goals and never trailed. Billings’ goal extended Iowa’s advantage to 3-1 halfway through the game; it was his first career game-winning strike and his sixth of the season.Berry signed with the Heartlanders earlier this month out of Peoria (SPHL), where he went 2-0-2-0 with a 1.45 goals against average and .950 save percentage. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2020 and played with current Landers blueliner Jake Linhart for two seasons in Madison.

Defensively strongThe Heartlanders are 4-1-1-0 in their last six games, with a large reason owing to improved defense. The Landers have surrendered three goals or less all but once over those six games. The team’s goals against average has dropped more than a third of a goal per game as well in that span.Iowa is 7-0-0-0 this season when allowing two or fewer goals.About to go on the roadWednesday concludes a three-game home stand vs. the Landers, their last home stand for a month. Iowa plays ten of the next 11 games on the road, starting New Year’s Eve in Fort Wayne. Iowa’s only home game over the next four weeks is January 14th vs. Kansas City.Built by rookiesThe Landers received goals from three ECHL rookies in their win Monday against the Mavs; Jack Billings, Zach White and Adrien Beraldo scored. In the last four games, all against KC, the Landers scored 12 goals, ten of which came from rookies.Kris Bennett (12g) is second in the league in goals by a rookie and Kaid Oliver (15a) is second in the ECHL in assists by a rookie.Scouting the OilersThe Tulsa scoring charge is led by Jack Doremus (13g) and Dylan Sadowy (11g). Doremus is tied for second in goals in the Mountain Conference and fourth in the ECHL. Mike McKee paces the Oilers in assists with 12.Tulsa’s main net-minder Daniel Mannella is top-10 in the ECHL in both average goals against (2.17) and save percentage (0.924).The Oilers have won their last two games including a 3-2 road victory over the Wichita Thunder Monday. Eddie Matsushima, Duggie Lagrone, and Doremus each tallied a goal for Tulsa. They never trailed in the game. Upcoming Home GamesFriday, January 14th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Kansas City: Hockey is for Everyone NightWednesday, January 26th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Indy – Sports Career Fair / College NightFriday, January 28th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Kalamazoo - Boy Scouts NightSaturday, January 29th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Kalamazoo – Marvel ™ theme nightThe Heartlanders 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.