Game 41 Preview: Kalamazoo at Iowa

Marvel Super Hero Night Saturday at Xtream Arena

Coralville, Iowa - The Iowa Heartlanders (15-19-5-1, 36 pts.) wear special Rocket jerseys and host the Kalamazoo Wings (20-16-0-0, 40 pts.) on Marvel Super Hero night Saturday at 7:00 p.m. The first 1000 fans will receive a limited edition Marvel poster. Tonight’s special Rocket jerseys will be auctioned off in-game (must be at arena to participate in silent auction).Iowa had a three-game winning streak snapped Friday, 5-2, vs. Kalamazoo. The Wings have won one of their last five games. Kalamazoo is four points ahead of Iowa in the Central Division. Wheeling (39 pts.) occupies the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central Division.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: Marvel Super Hero Night. First 1,000 fans receive a Marvel poster. Special Rocket Jerseys.Broadcast 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 OutRyan Kuffner scored twice for the Iowa Heartanders, his first multi-goal game in North America, but Zach Jordan tallied three times for the Kalamazoo Wings in a 5-2 win Friday at Xtream Arena. Trevor Gorsuch blocked 37 shots for Kalamazoo; Iowa out shot Kalamazoo, 39-24.K-Wings HistoryThe Kalamazoo Wings have been in the ECHL since 2009. They’ve been affiliates to nine NHL teams and ten AHL squads in their 13 ECHL seasons. They are affiliates of the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters and NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets. Prior to the ECHL, the Wings played in the UHL and IHL from 2000-09.Home Sweet HomeFollowing a January spent mostly on the road, Iowa will be playing at home a lot over the next two months. From Feb. 9 – Mar. 26, the team will play 13 of 18 games at Xtream Arena. The first February home stand begins on the 9th with a three-game series against the Utah Grizzlies.Season SeriesSaturday marks the third matchup of the season series; Kalamazoo has won the first two. Ryan Kuffner tops Iowa with two goals and three points in the series. Fedor Gordeev and Joe Widmar each have two assists. Zach Jordan’s hat trick Friday provided him with the most goals of any player in the series (3). Trevor Gorsuch is 2-0-0-0 against Iowa this season.All three games have been at Xtream Arena. Iowa plays five games at the K-Wings between Feb. 18 and Mar. 30.Scouting the K-WingsThe Wings are led by by the one-two punch of veterans Tanner Sorenson and Justin Taylor, who have played together for five seasons in Kalamazoo. Sorenson tops K-Zoo with 31 points, just ahead of Taylor (30) for the team lead.What’s NextThe Heartlanders go on the road again to start February before returning for the long home stretch. Starting February 2nd, they’ll play three games in four days against three different opponents. They’ll travel to Cincinnati, Toledo and Wheeling to play the Cyclones, Walleye and Nailers, respectively.Iowa next plays at home on the 9th against Utah.Upcoming Home GamesSaturday, 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.