Iowa and Newfoundland set for Friday rematch

St. John’s, NL – The Iowa Heartlanders rematch the Newfoundland Growlers Friday at 4:30 p.m. The teams played Wednesday to kick off a three-game series and the Landers got a point in a 4-3 overtime loss. Iowa has at least a point in eight of the team’s last ten games, helping the team stay two points back of Toledo and Fort Wayne for fifth in the Central Division. Newfoundland is two points back of Worcester for best in the North Division.Friday’s game is the fourth in a five-game road trip for Iowa. The Heartlanders play Kalamazoo at home three times next week starting with Wednesday’s Field Trip Day presented by MidAmerican Energy.The Growlers are in the fifth game of six straight at home. The club is 10-3-0-0 at Mary Brown’s Centre this campaign. Broadcast Coverage: Watch online at flohockey.tv. Listen on mixlr.com/goheartlanders  Affiliates: Iowa Heartlanders (Minnesota Wild/Iowa Wild) | Newfoundland Growlers (Toronto Maple Leafs/Toronto Marlies)Last Time OutDespite goals from Cole Stallard, Tommy Parrottino and Zach White, Iowa allowed a tying goal in the final ten minutes of the third to Todd Skirving and an overtime winning goal to Pavel Gogolev in a 4-3 defeat.Stallard’s strike gives him a team-best nine this season. Last campaign, he had 12 the entire season.Iowa out shot Newfoundland, 38-27. The Growlers had 15 of their 27 shots in the third period and overtime.Hunter Jones has helped Iowa get a point in his last three starts despite the overtime loss. Iowa led 2-0 and 3-2 before the Newfoundland comeback.Roadie factsThe Heartlanders are nearly through a five-game December road trip, part of nine games the team will play away from Xtream Arena this month.Iowa faced Trois-Rivieres for back-to-back games Dec. 2-3, which is 1000 miles away (as the crow flies) from Coralville. Next, the club flew to Newfoundland, another 1000 miles away.On the way home, the Landers will travel 2000 miles back to Coralville, completing 4000 miles of travel over 11 days.Depth importanceNineteen Heartlanders have scored at least a goal this season and 25 players to suit up for Iowa have registered at least a point. Cole Stallard tops Iowa with nine goals and Matt Murphy, currently recalled to the AHL, leads the Landers with 18 points.Speaking to the forward depth, every forward on Iowa’s active roster has scored at least one goal this season. Last week, Alec Broetzman tallied four of Iowa’s 11 goals and generated his first multi-goal game Friday at Trois-Rivieres.On the blue line, Murphy has five goals and Kevin McKernan has two tallies.Upcoming home games and ticket information.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.