SERIES PREVIEW | DECEMBER 7, 9 & 10 VS. IOWA HEARTLANDERS

The Newfoundland Growlers suit up for their last home series of the calendar year as they welcome the Iowa Heartlanders to town for the first time ever on Wednesday night at the Mary Brown’s Centre.

Newfoundland come into the week 9-3-0-0 at home despite a difficult weekend past on home ice against the Worcester Railers. After dropping Friday and Saturday’s contest, the team showed of plenty grit to secure two points in a tough 3-2 win on Sunday afternoon.

It’s been a hot and cold stretch for the Growlers after an impeccable start to the season as call-ups have left the forward group a little thinner on fire power of late. With holes in the lineup comes opportunities for others as Eric Wellwood and co. may have to lean on some of their depth skaters a little harder.

Iowa have had a mixed bag of results to start their campaign, including a two-game set against the Trois-Rivieres Lions last weekend where they took away just a single point at the Colisee Videotron.

Already acclimatized to Canada and eager for their first opportunity to take on a perennial ECHL powerhouse, the Heartlanders should be a motivated bunch across the three games in St. John’s.

Puck drops is set for 7:00 pm on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night. Growlers fans can watch all three games live on FloSports (subscription required), listen to the call on Mixlr, or follow along on Twitter (@NLGrowlers) for game updates and highlights. Tickets for all three games can be purchased at nlgrowlers.com/tickets.

WHO TO WATCH:

NFL – Brett Budgell (F): With a bunch of the Growlers top point producers currently in the AHL, the local lad has risen to the occasion and provided plenty of important moments already. Earning more trust from the coaching staff and fans in the stands each passing game, Budgell could be an X-factor for a depleted Newfoundland group.

IA – Matt Murphy (D): The Heartlanders leading scorer on 16 points, his offensive output from the blueline has been a pleasant surprise for a team that will take scoring from anywhere they can get it. Limiting his impact this week will surely be high on Growlers wish list.