Heartlanders To Feature Crispy Bacon Night During Game With Bloomington

Iowa is well-known for its pig population. There are over 23 million in the state, compared to four million people.

The Iowa Heartlanders are taking the pig and pork reputation to a new level with their first-ever Crispy Bacon Night before and during Saturday’s game at Xtream Arena against the Bloomington Bison.

Prior to the game, the Heartlanders will hold a pre-game party at the Hyatt Hotel Exhibit Hall, where fans can feast on plenty of pork and bacon.

During the game, the Heartlanders will give away Thunder Sticks shaped to resemble crispy bacon strips. (Warning: Please don’t try to eat the Thunder Sticks; they’re not really bacon.)

Fans will also be treated to bacon-themed specialty concessions, in-game bacon activities, and even a pork eating contest. It will certainly be one of the more unique nights in Heartlanders history.

As for the game, Iowa will try to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Bison Wednesday at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. T.J. Walsh scored the only Heartlanders goal in the third period, after the Bison scored three unanswered tallies.

Bison netminder Hugo Ollas made 30 consecutive saves and 32 for the game to improve his record to 2-3-0 on the season. Heartlanders goaltender Samuel Hlavaj got the loss, stopping 18 shots.

Iowa (7-5-3) managed to contain the Bison power-play six out of eight chances. The two failed attempts proved to be the difference, with two of Bloomington’s three goals coming on the power-play.

Walsh’s tally for Iowa came on a power-play, which snapped the Bison’s streak of 24 consecutive penalties killed.

With the victory, Bloomington stretched its record to 8-7-1. Puck drop for Saturday’s contest in Coralville is set for 6:00 Pm CT.