Heartlanders complete largest come back win in team history, 5-3

Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Heartlanders scored five unanswered goals in a 5-3 come-from-behind victory against the Kansas City Mavericks Wednesday at Xtream Arena. The Heartlanders scored four times in the third and three in a two-minute span, for their first-ever three-goal comeback win in team history. They’ve come from behind in all four wins this season. James Sanchez and Matt Murphy both scored a pair to lead Iowa’s charge.Sanchez scored the eventual-game-winning goal at 4:23 of the third period on the power play. From the top of the left circle, Sanchez whizzed the puck through traffic and over the goaltender Callum Booth’s glove, giving the Heartlanders the lead.Iowa got out to a slow start, allowing three first-period goals including the first 20 seconds into the game. They carried the three-goal deficit halfway into the second when Sanchez opened the Iowa onslaught. Sanchez and Nolan Orzeck ran a give-and-go in the right circle with Sanchez sniping the top right corner. It was the first multi-goal game of the season for the alternate captain Sanchez.Murphy’s goals were 17 seconds apart at the start of the third. The first came on a one-timer from the blue line that found its way through four Mavericks. He shot the game-tying score from the left wall and it eluded Booth’s legs. Murphy tallied three points in the comeback, all in the third period. Iowa’s final goal was an empty netter from Alec Broetzman.Trevin Kozlowksi earned the win for the Heartlanders, replacing Corbin Kaczperski after two minutes. Kozlowksi stopped 11 of the 12 shots he saw, while Kaczperski saved one of three. Booth took the loss for Kansas City, allowing four goals before the empty netter.The Heartlanders killed all five of the Mavericks’ power plays while Kansas City killed four of Iowa’s five.Box ScoreThe Heartlanders start a five-game road trip against the at the Trois-Rivières Lions on Fri., Dec. 2 at 6:00 p.m. The team plays five straight north of the border, which includes three games at the Newfoundland Growlers.View the Heartlanders’ 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.