CORALVILLE, IA – Yuki Miura scored 27 seconds into overtime to give the Iowa Heartlanders a 2-1 victory over the Kalamazoo Wings on Saturday. The victory now gives the Heartlanders points in six of their last seven games (2-1-4). Corbin Kaczperski was impressive between the pipes, stopping 32 shots and Logan Nelson scored his second goal in three games since joining the Heartlanders.

The first period was dominated by Kalamazoo, outshooting Iowa 13-6. However, Kaczperski was spectacular, shutting down the Wings. Hunter Vorva was also impressive, as the contest entered the first intermission scoreless.

However, 5:10 into the second, Nelson scored his second goal in his third game with the Heartlanders. Riese Zmolek set up the goal, moving down the left side of the slot before dishing the puck out in front to Nelson, who redirected it through the five hole of Vorva to make it 1-0. It was Teddy bear night, bringing a shower of bears onto the ice.

The lead held for exactly 12 minutes before the Wings tied the score. Kalamazoo entered the Heartlanders end on a rush. Tyler Rockwell took the puck into the corner before passing it just above the right face-off circle to Collin Saccoman. He lifted a laser of a wrist shot that went over the glove hand of Kaczperski and in for his first goal of the year.

Both teams had nine shots in the third period, but both Kaczperski and Vorva were spectacular. That sent the game to overtime, but it did not take long before Miura delivered the game-winner. Just 27 seconds into the extra session, Tyler Busch left a drop pass for Miura, who moved in on the Kalamazoo netminder. Miura looked like he would try to slide the puck toward the far post, but then pulled it back, reaching just inside the near post and in for his fourth goal of the season. It was a beautiful goal that gave Iowa the 2-1 victory.

Kaczperski stopped 32 shots, moving to 4-1-1 with a 3.04 goals-against average of the season. Zmolek earned assists on both Iowa goals.

The Iowa Heartlanders (6-10-7) will travel to Kansas City on Wednesday to begin a set of four straight contests against the Mavericks (9-8-3). The puck drops at 7:05.

Gamesheet

by Robert Pannier