Iowa Heartlanders win two against Wheeling, drop one to Toledo

Iowa went 2-1 in the three games it played this weekend.

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Gabby Drees

Heartlanders goalie Trevin Kozlowski reacts after the Walleye score a goal at a hockey game between the Iowa Heartlanders and Toledo Walleye at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa, on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. Kozlowski allowed three goals for 36 attempts. The Walleye defeated the Heartlanders 4-0.

Jake Olson, Sports Reporter


The Iowa Heartlanders went 2-1 on their most recent road trip. 

The Heartlanders lost to the Toledo Walleye, 4-3, at the Huntington Center in Ohio on Friday. Iowa then rebounded with 4-2 and 2-1 wins over the Wheeling Nailers on Saturday and Sunday. 

Toledo is currently leading the ECHL Central Division with a 23-8-0-2 record. Despite Friday’s loss, the Heartlanders have still won two of their last three games against the Walleye. 

The Heartlanders have played the Nailers five times this year. Iowa is now 2-3 against Wheeling this season. The Nailers are in fourth place in the ECHL Central Division.

Big Picture

Despite picking up two wins against the Nailers, the 13-18-5-1 Heartlanders still find themselves in last place in the ECHL Central Division.

Iowa has amassed 32 points this season. The Indy Fuel are just ahead of the Heartlanders in the standings with 38 points.

Goaltenders stymie Nailers

Iowa’s goalkeepers, Trevin Kozlowski and Corbin Kaczperski, racked up a combined 68 saves in two games against Wheeling.

Kozlowski made 35 saves Saturday and Kaczperski deflected 33 shots Sunday. The pair’s combined save percentage hovered around 96.

Up Next

The Heartlanders will play a three-game homestead from Jan. 26-29. Iowa will take on the Indy Fuel Jan. 26. Then, the Heartlanders will welcome the Kalamazoo Wings to Xtream Arena in Coralville Jan. 28 and 29.