Game 40 Preview: Kalamazoo at Iowa

Iowa seeks 4th straight win, hosts Kalamazoo Friday

Coralville, Iowa - The Iowa Heartlanders (15-18-5-1, 34 pts.) have won a franchise-record three straight games and host the Kalamazoo Wings (19-16-0-0, 38 pts.) in another Central Division matchup Friday at 7:00 p.m. for Boy Scout Night.The Landers defeated Indy, 5-3, Wednesday in a crucial mid-season matchup thanks to two goals from Cole Golka and 32 saves from Trevin Kozlowski. Iowa has outscored foes, 11-6, over the three-game winning streak. Over the last nine games, Iowa is 6-1-2-0.The four teams with the best points percentage in each division will qualify for the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs if all teams are unable to complete a full 72-game season. Kalamazoo is 4th in points percentage (38 pts.), Wheeling is 5th (39 pts.) and Indy is 6th (38).The Landers host Kalamazoo Saturday as well for the Marvel Super Hero night, featuring a limited edition Marvel poster giveaway to the first 1000 fans and special Rocket Racoon jerseys that will be available for auction for those at the game only (in-game, arena silent auction).Tavern Blue Fore Packs are available for all home games this season, which includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas, VIP Parking and discounts from Tavern Blue restaurant. Tickets for the game are also available by calling 319-569-PUCK.Promo: Boy Scouts NightBroadcast Coverage: Listen at Iowaheartlanders.com/listenlive or mixlr.com/goheartlanders. Watch on FloHockey.tv.NHL Affiliates: Iowa Heartlanders (Minnesota Wild/Iowa Wild) | Kalamazoo Wings (Columbus Blue Jackets/Cleveland Monsters)Last Time OutCole Golka scored twice on the same shift, his first ECHL multi-goal game, slinging Iowa to a 5-3 win Wednesday vs. Indy. Golka’s two goals in 23 seconds marked the second time this season a Heartlanders player has scored twice in less than a minute (Alex Khovanov, 12 seconds, 11/26 vs. WHL). Golka’s two strikes provided Iowa a 3-0 advantage. Cole Stallard, Zach White and Jack Billings (1g, 1a) also tallied.Trevin Kozlowski improved to 7-6-1-1 on the year and made 32 saves, the 10th time this season he has blocked at least 30 in a game.Jake Smith January update Jake Smith registered an assist Wednesday, matching an Iowa team record nine-game point streak (9g, 9a). Kris Bennett is the only other Heartlanders player to register at least a point in nine straight, cracking in seven goals and 16 points from Nov. 12 – Dec. 1.Smith has ten goals and 19 points this month, both of which lead the ECHL. He has the only hat trick and five-point game in team history, which he accomplished on Jan. 9 at Rapid City in the most-lopsided win Iowa has ever had (9-1).K-Wings outlookKalamazoo is making their second trip to Xtream Arena this season, their first since Nov. 14. The Wings won the only game of the season series in OT, 3-2. The clubs play eight more times. The team has dropped four straight and last played Sunday against Indy, allowing two goals in the final two minutes to lose in regulation, 4-3.Trevin coming up big with 30+ savesIowa has surrendered an average of 35.3 shots per game over the last nine, but boasts a 6-1-2-0 record. Part of the reason has been the performance of goaltenders Trevin Kozlowski and Corbin Kaczperski (now on PTO with AHL Syracuse).Kozlowski has won back-to-back games, making 35 denials at Wheeling Jan. 22 and 32 saves vs. Indy Jan. 26. The graduate of Army West Point is 6-1-0-1 in his last eight games when making at least 30 blocks. This season, he has made at least 30 saves in ten games (6-3-0-1).Kaczperski has faced at least 30 shots in seven of his ten games with Iowa.   Special Team Stat of NoteHead Coach Gerry Fleming has stressed Iowa’s improvement in special teams as a big reason for the club’s rebound. In particular “winning” the special teams battle in individual games (scoring more power play goals than the opponent). The Landers have either matched or exceeded their opponent’s power-play production in 12 of the last 13 games. In that time, Iowa has bumped up more than 2 points on the man up (17.5% to 19.7%) and improved it’s penalty kill to 80.1 percent, the team’s highest mark since December.

Upcoming Home GamesFriday, January 28th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Kalamazoo - Boy Scouts NightSaturday, January 29th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Kalamazoo – Marvel ™ theme nightWednesday, February  9th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Utah – College NightFriday, February 11th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Utah – Faith & Family Night

Saturday, February 12th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Utah – Pink in the Rink 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.