Heartlanders visit Mavericks Friday in Missouri

Independence, MO – The Iowa Heartlanders are coming off their first win of the 2022-23 season and look to string together back-to-back victories at the Kansas City Mavericks Friday at 7:05 p.m.Iowa won their last game, 7-2, thanks to a hat trick from Cole Stallard, first professional goals from three Landers (Alec Broetzman, Michael Pastujov and Nick Campoli) and 22 saves from Corbin Kaczperski. It marked the second straight year Iowa won their first game scoring seven goals, the first of which came in the inaugural season when Iowa defeated the Mavericks in the Heartlanders’ first game ever, 7-4.The Mavericks are off to a 3-2-1-0 start in Tad O’Had’s third season as bench boss, good for fourth in the Mountain Division. In KC’s last game, Utah pounced with a season-best five power-play goals (5-for-6) to best the Mavericks, 7-3.Despite being Iowa’s closest geographical opponent, the Mavericks (Mountain) and Heartlanders (Central) play in separate divisions.Iowa is next at Wichita on Saturday, Nov. 12. The Heartlanders’ next home game is Sun., Nov. 20 at 2:05 p.m. against Kalamazoo for Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants Day, presented by Advance Auto Parts.Broadcast Coverage: Watch on flohockey.tv. Listen on mixlr.com/goheartlanders  Affiliates: Iowa Heartlanders (Minnesota Wild/Iowa Wild) | Kansas City Mavericks (Seattle Kraken/Coachella Valley Firebirds)Last time outIn Iowa’s first win of the season vs. Fort Wayne last Sunday, the Heartlanders came from behind with two goals in the first period from Cole Stallard, another Stallard goal in the second frame and four unanswered tallies to silence the Komets, 7-2. It matched Iowa’s best defensive performance of the season and Corbin Kaczperski made 22 saves.Among highlights, Iowa’s Michael Pastujov, Alec Broetzman and Nick Campoli scored their first pro goals, Cole Stallard registered his first ECHL hat trick and Derek Damon earned his first win as Head Coach.Iowa’s seven-goal mark matched the second-highest total in team history.Former Komets Tyler Busch (3a) and Matt Murphy (2a) stung their former teams. Matt Boucher knocked in his third goal of the season in the third to finish the scoring.Season-series outlookThe Heartlanders and Mavericks face off nine times this season and seven games are at Cable Dahmer Arena. Similar to last season’s series, most of the games are in the early going; eight of the nine are before Jan. 15. Iowa’s only home games against KC are Nov. 30 and Mar. 1.From Dec. 21-Jan. 14, the teams play six times of Iowa’s ten games and all of those six are at Cable Dahmer Arena.Last season, Iowa won five of the nine season-series matchups and earned a 2-2-0-0 record in road games. At Xtream Arena, the Heartlanders registered at least a point in all five head-to-head games (3-0-2-0).Scouting the Mavericks The Mavericks became the first-ever ECHL affiliate of the Seattle Kraken and Coachella Valley Firebirds this summer, marking the end to Kansas City’s five-year relationship with the Calgary Flames. Despite the change of affiliate, the Mavs boast a group of notable returners including Nick Pastujov (4g, 8 pts.), the older brother of Iowa forward Michael Pastujov. The two will play against each other at the professional level for the first time Friday.Between the pipes, three goaltenders (Shane Starrett, Riley Morris and Dillon Kelly) have played for Kansas City. Starrett is 3-0-0-0 with a 1.46 goals-against average and .941 save percentage.Upcoming Home GamesSun., Nov. 20 vs. Kalamazoo, 2:05 p.m. (Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants Day)Sat., Nov. 26 vs. Cincinnati, 7:05 p.m. (Military Appreciation Game)Sun., Nov. 27 vs. Cincinnati, 2:05 p.m. (Postgame Skate, game pres. by Steindler).