Game 48 Preview: Tulsa at Iowa

Heartlanders conclude four-game home stand vs. Tulsa

Coralville, Iowa - The Iowa Heartlanders (17-23-6-1, 41 pts.) host the Tulsa Oilers (24-19-1-1, 50 pts.) for the second and final time this season Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. for College Night, pres. by Hills Bank. Iowa is looking for their first victory against the Oilers. College Night features discounted tickets for those with a .edu email address or student ID, plus free Cactus Bread for any college students courtesy of Pizza Ranch.Despite playing a pair of one-goal games last week vs. Utah, the Mountain-Division leading Grizzlies prevailed in both. The last time out for Iowa, the Landers got 41 shots on goal but fell by a 4-3 score.Tulsa is fourth in points in the Mountain Division (50). The top-four teams in each division qualify for the Kelly Cup Playoffs. In the event not every team can complete the full 72-game schedule, the top-four teams by points percentage will qualify.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.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)Yuki expected back The Heartlanders announced Wednesday forward Yuki Miura is expected to return to the lineup for first time since Dec. 29, coincidentally the last time Iowa played Tulsa.Miura suffered an injury in the second period of that game and has missed the last 20 games. In 17 games this season, the rookie from Toyko, Japan has scored six times (11 pts.). He is also a frequent force on the penalty kill.Kuff at 10Ryan Kuffner has registered a point in 10 straight games (Jan. 7 – present), tying the team record for most consecutive games with at least one point. If he gets a point Wednesday, he will surpass Jake Smith’s team record. Kuffner registered an assist in his last appearance and entering the week has 15 points (6g) in his last eight games. He returned from a three-week injury absence on Jan. 28 vs. Kalamazoo and has since registered at least a point in all eight contests.The third-year professional from Ottawa, ON has tied a single-season best with seven goals and has already surpassed his best point total in a regular season with 24.Last Time OutTrevin Kozlowski blocked 31 shots, but Utah netminder Peyton Jones denied all 13 shots in the third period to best Iowa, 4-3, Saturday at Xtream Arena. Jones finished with 38 saves.Jake Smith, Kaid Oliver and Kris Bennett scored. Iowa finished 1-for-6 on the power play, giving the team at least one man-up goal in three straight and seven of the last eight.Iowa has either scored more power-play goals or equaled their opponent’s power-play production in 16 straight games.Season SeriesWednesday is the last time the Heartlanders play the Oilers this season. In the only other matchup Dec. 29, Tulsa scored the opening two goals and rode a hat trick from Dylan Sadowy to a 5-2 win. Sadowy completed his four-point night with an empty-net goal for his third of the contest.Jack Billings and Bryce Misley (currently recalled to AHL Iowa) scored for the Landers.Corbin Kaczperski made his first Iowa appearance in that game, coming in for the final 31 minutes in relief. He stopped 18 of 19 shots. Kaczperski played ten games for Iowa and signed a professional try-out contract with AHL Syracuse in January.Scouting Tulsa After starting February with a loss to Kansas City, the Oilers have reeled off a 3-2-1 span to keep them squarely in the Mountain Division playoff conversation. Currently sitting at fourth in points with 50, the Oilers are multiple points up on Kansas City, Allen and Wichita.Rookie goaltender Daniel Mannella is one of the primary reasons for success; he tops the league with 17 wins, is second with a 2.19 goals against average and fourth in save percentage (.922). He has played in 26 games this season (17-7-0-1).The Oilers also boast the league’s top goal scorer; Dylan Sadowy has tallied 23 times this year. He is flanked by rookie Jack Doremus, who is fifth in the league with 20 goals and leads all rookies in goals and points (41). Both are in the league’s top five in shots on goal.Despite having two top-five goal scorers, the Oilers rank 18th in goals for (2.98/game).Upcoming Home GamesWednesday, February 16th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Tulsa – College Night presented by Hills BankWednesday, February 23rd at 7:00 p.m. vs. Wichita – College Night presented by Hills BankFriday, February 25th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Fort Wayne – DC Comics Night (special Batman jerseys)Saturday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Fort Wayne – Paint with the Heartlanders, thanks to Brush and BarrelThe 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.