Heartlanders start three-in-three vs. Thunder

Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Heartlanders, proud ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild, start their final three-in-three of the season Friday at 6:35 p.m. vs. Wichita. 

The Heartlanders are 1-1-1-0 halfway through the team’s six-game home stand. Iowa is seeking its first win of the season against Wichita. The Heartlanders have led in four of the first five games, but Wichita has erased deficits all four times to start 5-0-0-0 against Iowa. 

Last week, Iowa picked up a win Wednesday vs. Wheeling in overtime, 3-2, then dropped in the extra session Friday (1-0) and by a goal in regulation Saturday (2-1). Wheeling’s Taylor Gauthier stopped 83 of 87 shots faced on the week.

Meanwhile, Wichita has not played for nine days, their longest break of the season and most-rested stretch since a ten-day off period in 2021-22.  

Both teams enter the game with 54 points. 

Tickets are available for all home games by visiting iowaheartlanders.com and calling 319-569-4625 

Get tickets for Heartlanders Home games: Iowaheartlanders.com/tickets

 

Game Day Guide: 

5:35 PM: Doors Open

6:25 PM: Be In Your Seats For Pregame Show 

6:35 PM: Puck Drop

Watch on FloHockey: https://flosports.link/3tVsLmd

Listen on Mixlr: mixlr.com/goheartlanders

 

Bag Policy: Xtream Arena will implement a clear bag policy for all ticketed events.  A clear 12” x 6” x 12” bag or smaller will be permitted as well as small clutch style purses or wallets. Patrons will be asked to return any bag that does not meet this criteria to their vehicle prior to entry. Diaper bags or medical bags are allowed to exceed that size limit, but will be searched. Small clutch style purses or wallets no larger than 4.5” x 6.5” are permitted as well.

Parking: Parking is available in the South Parking Lot located by the Hyatt Regency Convention Center Entrance or the North Ramp located by the Hyatt Regency main entrance. All Heartlanders ticket buyers receive a parking pass for free parking to Heartlanders games. For a parking map, click here. For questions about the Heartlanders parking, please call 319-569-4625 or visit this link.

Affiliates: Iowa Heartlanders (Minnesota Wild/Iowa Wild) | Wichita Thunder (San Jose Sharks/San Jose Barracuda)

Need to know

- The Heartlanders have played three straight one-goal games, the fifth time this season Iowa has had at least three consecutive contests decided by one. The season-high is five straight games decided by one from Feb. 2-10.

- Drew DeRidder has stopped 125 of his last 134 shots faced (.933 save percentage).

- The Heartlanders have taken the fourth-fewest penalty minutes in the league (10.4/game, 624 total).

DeRidder keeps denying

The Heartlanders have been bolstered by the emergence of goaltender Drew DeRidder this season; he started this season working with Peyton Jones and Hunter Jones and has proven himself to be one of the league’s top rookies between the pipes. 

Since Feb. 1, DeRidder is ninth among qualified goaltenders in goals-against average (2.16); the only rookie with a better mark is Jackonsville’s Matt Vernon. He also boasts a .928 save percentage in that span, which is tied for ninth in the ECHL entering the week. 

Roster moves 

The Heartlanders have been bolstered by a few roster additions this week; the team added forward Brett Budgell and goaltender Peyton Jones back from the AHL’s Iowa Wild.

Budgell is second on the active roster with 11 goals and fifth with 24 points.

Jones received a PTO with the Iowa Wild late last week after making 34 saves to lead Iowa to its last victory over Wheeling on Mar. 13. He also assisted on the overtime-winning goal by Ben Brinkman, chipping it to him from his crease to start an odd-man rush.

Next up

On Fri., Mar. 22 at 6:35 p.m., the Heartlanders oppose the Wichita Thunder in the 100th home game in team history, featuring $5 youth tickets (online only, with purchase of adult ticket). 

Sat., Mar. 23 at 6:05 p.m. is Heartland Heroes Night against Wichita, honoring the frontline workers that selflessly serve eastern Iowa. 

On Sun., Mar. 24 at 2:05 p.m., Iowa wraps up the weekend against Wichita with Faith and Family Day, a team photo giveaway, and the final postgame skate of the season. 

The Heartlanders are back at home Apr. 3 at 6:35 p.m., Apr. 5 at 6:35 p.m. and Apr. 6 at 6:35 p.m. to take on the Toledo Walleye at Xtream Arena. 

Fan Appreciation Night Apr. 13

The Heartlanders will look to sell out Xtream Arena in their final home game of the regular season on Saturday, April 13^th at 6:05 pm against the Kansas City Mavericks. The team is planning the most-exciting event ever at Xtream Arena to thank our great fans on Fan Appreication Night. The night will feature a start-to-finish day of activities.

Get your tickets for the game here, by calling 319-569-4625 and by visiting https://bit.ly/FanAppreciationHL.

Join the fun at Xtream Arena in the 2023-24 season

Here are some of the best options to make sure you experience the family-friendly entertainment of Heartlanders Hockey at Xtream Arena this season!

Flex Plans: Enjoy the service, savings and game dates that work best for you! Flex plans include “any game” ticket vouchers that are good for any home game during the 2023-24 regular season.  

12-game plans: Grab tickets to your favorite 12 games! 12-game plans include savings on individually-priced tickets!

Group Tickets: Make a big impact with your group and spend an evening with the Heartlanders. Starting at a special rate of $15/Ticket. A group comprises 10 or more people and is perfect for parties, families, co-workers, clients and more.

Season Ticket Memberships now available for 2024-25 season

Deposits now available for new season ticket holders: The Heartlanders are excited to welcome new season ticket members to our family for the 2024-25 season and deposits for tickets are now available. Call 319-855-1775 and visit https://iowaheartlanders.com/tickets/season-memberships to start your easy process to becoming a Rose Club Season Ticket Member.

Renewal Process: The Heartlanders have started the renewal process for full season plans (Rose Club memberships) for the 2024-25 season, and the renewal application is now available online here. Once you log in, simply click “Season Renewal Application” under the “My Tickets” tab on the right, then complete the process. Our sales representatives are available to help with the renewal process by calling 319-855-1775. You can also stop by the Mediacom Season Ticket Table behind section 109 at any future game to secure your seat for the 2024-2025 season. 

The Heartlanders have added new seating options for the 2024-25 season, debuting Attack Zone Lower, Attack Zone Upper, Defense Zone, and Corner sections to allow fans additional price points to fit their budget. 

To retain your seats for the 2024-25 season, a $50 deposit per seat must be made by March 24. On March 25, all seats without deposits will be released and available for purchase by new season ticket holders.