Iowa concludes 11-day road trip Saturday

St. John’s, NL – The Iowa Heartlanders are in Canada for the final time this regular season, taking on the Newfoundland Growlers in the finale of a three-game series Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Following the game, Iowa will venture home and take on Kalamazoo in three straight at Xtream Arena starting Dec. 14 at 10:35 a.m.Iowa has at least a point in nine of 11 games, taking the Growlers to overtime for the second straight game Friday in a 3-2 extra-session loss. Newfoundland has won the series’ opening two games.Saturday’s game completes a five-game road trip for Iowa; all of the five games have been played north of the border (2 against Trois-Rivieres, 3 at Newfoundland).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 OutThe Iowa Heartlanders earned a point for the third straight game and have points in nine of 11 contests, but the Newfoundland Growlers won for the second straight game on the power play in the extra session, 3-2, Friday at Mary Brown’s Centre. Zach O’Brien stung his second power-play goal of the game on a one-timed slap shot with 2:38 left in the extra session.Jake Durflinger and Yuki Miura scored for Iowa. Newfoundland overcame a 2-1 deficit to tie it in the third and then win in overtime.Hunter Jones blocked 27 shots and earned a point for his fifth straight start (AHL and ECHL combined).Riley McKay earned his first victory of the season series, saving 24.Heading back home after this Iowa concludes its five-game road trip Saturday at Newfoundland, marking the end to its first five-game road trip of the campaign. The next time the Heartlanders play five consecutive on the road will be Mar. 31 – Apr. 8, which is a five-city trip to Central Division foes Toledo, Kalamazoo, Indy, Wheeling and Fort Wayne.In addition to concluding the three-game series Saturday, the Heartlanders will prepare for a bunch of continuous series against upcoming opponents. Iowa plays Kalamazoo three straight games at home, followed by four consecutive at Kansas City and four straight against Indy. The Heartlanders’ next seven opponents will also play at least a two-game series against each other.Next Up The Heartlanders play their only three home games of December against Kalamazoo, starting Dec. 14 at 10:35 a.m. for Field Trip Day presented by MidAmerican Energy.Growlers home and road factsDue to Newfoundland’s location in St. John’s, the easternmost city in North America, the Growlers also face long road trips and extended stays at home.This season alone, the Growlers have five road trips that last at least five games. By contrast, the Growlers are currently in the middle of six straight at Mary Brown’s Centre. Five Growlers homestands go at least six games and every team that visits St. John’s plays a three-game series against Newfoundland.North-division-leading Worcester is Newfoundland’s most-common foe this season (12 games). Canadian rival Trois-Rivieres plays the Growlers ten times.Newfoundland plays teams outside the North Division 12 times this campaign (Iowa, Kalamazoo, Toledo, Florida, Cincinnati).Upcoming home games and ticket informationView 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.