Iowa visits Cincinnati to start weekend Friday

Iowa has won back-to-back, Cincy on 15-game points streak entering

Cincinnati, OH – The Iowa Heartlanders, proud ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild, are looking to match a season-high three-game winning streak at the Cincinnati Cyclones Friday at 6:35 p.m.The Heartlanders have won back-to-back games after suffering a loss to Cincinnati nine days ago. In Iowa’s last game, the team overcame a pair of one-goal deficits and Zach White scored twice to spur a 5-3 victory at home vs. Kalamazoo. The Heartlanders are .500 at home this season (12-12-5-1).The Cyclones are the league’s second-hottest team, riding a 15-game points streak (13-0-1-1) to push them to second in the Central Division (83 points). Meanwhile, Toledo (84 points) is a point ahead of Cincinnati and the Walleye have a league-best 16-game winning streak and 18-game points streak entering the weekend.Friday’s matchup is the third of the month and sixth of the season; Iowa wraps up its season series with the ‘Clones Saturday at Heritage Bank Center. The Landers have won two of the five season-series games, going 2-1-0-0 at home and 0-2-0-0 in Cincinnati.Broadcast Coverage: Watch online at flohockey.tv. Listen on mixlr.com/goheartlanders.Affiliates: Iowa Heartlanders (Minnesota Wild/Iowa Wild) | Cincinnati Cyclones (Buffalo Sabres/Rochester Americans)Zach White does it againHeartlanders forward Zach White scored back-to-back goals in the second period last Saturday vs. Kalamazoo to jolt Iowa to a 5-3 victory. White is tied with Tommy Parrottino for a team-best 16 goals. Ten of White’s 16 goals have come since Feb. 5, best on the team.The second-year, right-handed shot has 34 goals in his career, one behind Kris Bennett for the most in franchise history. White is also the team’s all-time points leader (78) and is the only player in team history to skate in at least 100 games with the team (109).  99 for Yuki Yuki Miura is right behind Zach White for most games played in team history; Friday is expected to be Miura’s 99th career game with Iowa. The Toyko native has nine goals and 21 points this season, putting him one goal and one point away from matching a career-high.In Saturday’s game, Miura assisted on two goals for his first multi-point game of the season. Despite that oddity (Miura frequently plays in the top-six of Iowa’s lineup), he has at least a point in 20 games this season and is also a staple on the team’s penalty kill.Cincinnati’s 15-game streak  The Cyclones’ 15-game points streak puts the club two away from matching the longest in team history (January-February 2008, 17-game winning streak).The streak began at Savannah on Feb. 10 and since then, the ‘Clones have outscored foes 74-36, an average winning margin of 2.5 goals/game. (4.9 goals for/2.4 goals against).Captain Justin Vaive has been Cincinnati’s best scoring option over the streak; he’s scored 12 of his team-best 28 goals in the last 15 games, which included a career-best four goals vs. Indy on Feb. 25.Veteran Louie Caporusso has tallied a team-best 16 assists and 21 points in the last 15 games.Netminders Beck Warm (7-0-1-1, 2.41 GAA, .909 sv. %) and Mark Sinclair (6-0-0-0, 2.17 GAA, .936 sv. %) have benefitted from the strong goal support and excellent defense, facing an average of 29 shots/game over the streak. 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