Another Saturday home showdown against the K-Wings

Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Heartlanders, proud ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild, seek their second straight win and take on the Kalamazoo Wings Saturday at 7:05 p.m.Iowa is coming off a 5-2 win Friday at home in front of 3000 fans at Xtream Arena;  Iowa scored three unanswered in the third to break a 2-2 tie. Matt Hanewall had his first professional goal with seven minutes to go, the game-winning strike. The Heartlanders are playing their third and final home game of the week.The Heartlanders have hosted Kalamazoo six times this campaign and hold a 3-1-1-1 record in games against the K-Wings at Xtream Arena. Overall, the Landers have at least a point in six of eight games this season series (3-2-2-1).Kalamazoo traveled overnight after dropping at home Friday vs. Toledo, 4-1. The K-Wings sit at 50 points (23-29-4-0), sixth in the Central Division and one point behind Wheeling for fifth.The Heartlanders have seven home games and 15 total contests remaining this regular season, the team’s second in the ECHL.After Saturday, there are two games left in the season series at the Wings Event Center: Mar. 19 and Apr. 1.Recent Transactions: Iowa announced forward Nicholas Cardelli has signed his first professional contract with Iowa. He played four years at Bemidji State and his fifth NCAA season at AIC.Broadcast Coverage: Watch online at flohockey.tv. Listen on mixlr.com/goheartlanders. Mediacom TV subscribers can watch Saturday’s game on Channel 22, 722 and 822.Affiliates: Iowa Heartlanders (Minnesota Wild/Iowa Wild) | Kalamazoo Wings (Columbus Blue Jackets/Cleveland Monsters)Hanewall’s first perfect Friday winHeartlanders forward Matt Hanewall tallied with seven minutes to go, jolting Iowa to their first of three straight goals to end the game Friday in a 5-2 win.The 25-year-old from Chicago, IL scored 10 goals this season for NCAA DIII Milwaukee School of Engineering. He is the second Raider to play for the Heartlanders ever and the first to score a goal.The left-handed shot played for Janesville in the NAHL before a four-year career at M.S.O.E.  Few more Saturdays Iowa has three Saturday night home games left and the team is looking to build on past Saturday night performances; going back to the end of February, Iowa has at least a point in three of their last four Saturday contests, including a point in a 3-2 overtime loss vs. Kalamazoo Feb. 25. In that game, Iowa overcame a 2-0 deficit in the third period and Zach White scored the game-tying goal in the final minute to get the Landers to overtime.Iowa hosts Wichita on Mar. 25 and Wheeling on Apr. 15 to finish off the home Saturdays this regular season.Scouting Kalamazoo  The K-Wings have won two of three and are 2-3-0-0 since their last visit to Xtream Arena. Evan Cormier has found his groove between the pipes, allowing seven goals over his last four decisions (3-1-0-0 record). This comes after a stretch where Cormier was winless over his previous 14 decisions and 16 appearances (Nov. 25 – Feb. 19).Hunter Vorva and Pavel Cajan have also proved reliable between the pipes; Cajan boasts a 5-3-0-0 record, 2.24 goals against average and .937 save percentage in 8 games and Vorva leads the K-Wings with ten wins.Brandon Saigeon (31 points) and Justin Taylor (30 points) are Kalamazoo’s points leaders. Matheson Iacopelli has 16 goals, best on the squad.Season seriesThe Heartlanders have received four goals from James Sanchez and Tyler Busch to lead the season series. Sanchez has seven points in eight games against the K-Wings, which is best on Iowa. Yuki Miura has tallied three of his eight goals this season against Kalamazoo. Hunter Jones is 2-1-1-0 with a 2.49 goals against average and .919 save percentage in the season series.On Kalamazoo’s side, Evan Cormier is 4-1-0-0 (13 GA) in five games vs. Iowa. Hunter Vorva has a 1-1-1-0 record, 2.34 goals against average and .925 save percentage in four appearances. Brandon Saigeon is best on the K-Wings with six assists and eight points in the series. Luke Morgan has scored six times in his professional career and four have been against Iowa.Upcoming home games and ticket informationView the team’s full promotional schedule at iowaheartlanders.com/promotions. Iowa is next at home for three games Wednesday Mar. 22, Friday, Mar. 24 and Saturday, Mar. 25 vs. Wichita, with all puck drops at 7:05 p.m. On Mar. 24, the Heartlanders host the team’s first-ever Star Trek Night, showcasing our love for the show with fellow Trekkies. Fans are encouraged to dress as a Trekkie for a chance to win in-game activations and prizes. On Mar. 25, it’s Heartland Heroes night where the team will celebrate the selfless contributions of frontline workers and heroes that help make eastern Iowa a special place.The Heartlanders final three home games of the season take place Wednesday, Apr. 12, Friday, Apr. 14 and Saturday, Apr. 15 vs. the rival Wheeling Nailers. On Apr. 12 at 7:05 p.m., it’s a Wednesday night matchup presented by Mercy Iowa City. On Apr. 14-15, it’s fan appreciation weekend, with puck drops both nights at 7:05 p.m. The game on Apr. 14 is presented by United Iowa Financial. On Apr. 15, we’re extending stick tapes to our fans with a jam-packed final home game of the regular season, including a game-worn jersey auction, player card giveaway presented by Iowa City Area Sports Commission and a fanbango giveaway presented by Steindler Orthopedic Clinic.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.Tickets are available for all Heartlanders home games by visiting iowaheartlanders.com/tickets. Find the full promotional schedule at iowaheartlanders.com/promotions