Busch's hat trick propels Iowa to 5-1 morning win

Coralville, Iowa – Tyler Busch notched his first ECHL hat trick and the Iowa Heartlanders defeated the Kalamazoo Wings, 5-1, Wednesday at Xtream Arena. Hunter Jones had his best game of the season, stopping 26 shots on 27 attempts for his first win. It was the Heartlanders’ fifth win at home (5-2-0-1) and the team has earned a point in five straight. Iowa has at least a point in their last six home games and in 11 of the last 13 overall. Iowa is four points back of Kalamazoo for fourth in the Central Division. The teams play twice more this week: Friday and Saturday at Xtream Arena.With two minutes left in the first period, Busch opened the scoring with his first goal as a Heartlander. The alternate captain pushed it under the left leg of Wings goalie Evan Cormier. In the third period, Busch added his second of the morning on the power play, a deflection at net front. He then bagged his third on an empty netter. T.J. Fergus scored his second career goal five minutes into the second period on the power play from the blue line. Logan Nelson notched the first goal of his ECHL career in his debut. Mason McCarty scored the lone goal for Kalamazoo. The Wings goalie Cormier had 14 saves and allowed three goals in 33 minutes. He was replaced by Hunter Vorva in the second period who ended with ten saves and one goal allowed. The Heartlanders went two-for-three on the power play and killed both Kalamazoo man ups. Box Score

View the Heartlanders’ full promotional schedule at iowaheartlanders.com/promotions. 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.