Heartlanders seek 3-game winning streak Wednesday vs. KC

Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Heartlanders seek their third straight victory Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. vs. Kansas City. Wednesday’s contest is presented by Mercy Iowa City.The last two Heartlanders games have been overtime victories, each by a 4-3 score against the division-leading Cincinnati Cyclones. In Friday’s come-from-behind win, Iowa overcame three one-goal deficits and then bested Cincinnati on a Brendan Robbins OT winner. Saturday, in another one-goal win, Corbin Kaczperski blocked 34 shots and Matt Murphy won it in the extra session for Iowa.The Heartlanders have points in five of the team’s last six games, boosting the club to two points out of sixth place in the Central Division (9 points, 2 behind Toledo).Kansas City sits third in the Mountain Division with 17 points (8-5-1-0) and the team is off to their best start since 2018-19, when the club won 11 of their first 14 games. This is the third-best start to an ECHL season ever for the Mavericks and the fourth time in nine seasons they will be over .500 at the 15-game mark.Following Wednesday’s game, the Heartlanders play five straight on the road north of the border at the Trois-Rivières Lions and Newfoundland Growlers. Promotion: Game presented by Mercy Iowa CityBroadcast Coverage: Watch online at flohockey.tv. Listen on mixlr.com/goheartlanders  Affiliates: Iowa Heartlanders (Minnesota Wild/Iowa Wild) | Kansas City (Seattle Kraken/Coachella Valley Firebirds)Overtime winners both a first for Murphy and RobbinsDefenseman Matt Murphy and forward Brendan Robbins each scored their first career overtime-winning goals and second-career game-winning goals last weekend vs. Cincinnati.Murphy has three goals and 13 points in nine games, which is the best point-per-game ratio of any qualified defenseman in the ECHL. He entered this week tied for fifth for points among ECHL blue liners. Now in his third ECHL season, Murphy is one point behind matching his career high for points in a campaign (14 in 2021-22 with Fort Wayne).Robbins is in his third ECHL season and fourth pro campaign. He scored seven times last season (20 points) for Maine and skated in one postseason game for the Mariners. Season Series Wednesday is the first meeting between the clubs at Xtream Arena this season. The Mavericks won the opening game of the nine-game series, 8-5, three weeks ago in Missouri.In the 8-5 loss, Michael Pastujov factored in with a career-best three points (2g). Matthew Boucher also scored twice and registered four points, a Heartlanders season-best. The game included a stretch where a “Pastujov” scored three straight times in the second period (both Michael and older bro Nick tallied in the middle frame).The teams face off five times over the next month and seven times in the next seven weeks. The final matchup of the series is at Xtream Arena Mar. 1.  Scouting Kansas City Since the last matchup between the clubs, the Mavericks have gone 3-3-0-0 and continued their high-scoring ways, notching 24 goals in those six contests (29 GA).The club boasts two of the league’s top-ten point producers (Jeremy McKenna 21 points, Tristan Mullin 18 points). Mullin ranks second in the league with 11 goals.Netminder Shane Starrett has five of the club’s eight wins (5-2-0-0, 2.82 goals-against average, .912 save percentage).Kansas City ranks fourth in the league in goals for/game (4.21) and 25th of 28 teams in goals against per game (4.07).Upcoming home games and ticket information.The Heartlanders complete a three-game home stand on Wed., Nov. 30 at 7:05 p.m., when Iowa hosts Kansas City in a game presented by Mercy Iowa City. View the team’s full promotional schedule at iowaheartlanders.com/promotions. The Heartlanders are next at home to take on Kalamazoo for the club’s only three home games in December. On Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 10:35 AM, the Heartlanders host their first-ever Field Trip Day, presented by MidAmerican Energy Company. The game features an educational component for participating school districts to enhance school curriculums. Fans are also welcome to come to the game by contacting the Heartlanders ticket office.On Friday, Dec. 16 at 7:05 p.m., it’s the first Rose Friday of the season as the Heartlanders will show off their rose alternate jerseys against the Wings in a contest presented by Mercy Iowa City. The game features a Player Card Giveaway, presented by the Iowa City Area Sports Commission (first 500 fans receive a trading card pack).On Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Kalamazoo, the Heartlanders are back for the annual Teddy Bear Toss game, presented by Steindler Orthopedic Clinic. Bring your Teddy Bears to throw on the ice after the first Heartlanders goal. The bears that are thrown on the ice will be donated to Toys For Tots for families in need this holiday season. Also wear your ugly sweater for a chance to win in-game activations and prizes. The Heartlanders will give out Fanbangos courtesy of Steindler for all fans in attendance.Single-game tickets, group ticket options, partial plans and season ticket memberships are available for Heartlanders home games at Xtream Arena.  Call 319-569-goal or visit iowaheartlanders.com/tickets for more information.