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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Iowa forward Zach White carries the puck up the ice during a hockey match between Iowa and Wheeling at Xtream Arena in Coralville on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. The Nailers defeated the Heartlanders, 6-4.

Zach White: The Iowa Heartlanders’ determined, unselfish forward

Isaac Goffin, Sports Reporter December 13, 2022

The Iowa Heartlanders were in dire need of an extra forward before a matchup with the Toledo Walleye about a year ago.  Then-Heartlanders head coach Gerry Fleming and assistant coach Derek Damon...

Iowa goalie Hunter Jones blocks the puck from entering the goal during a Heartlanders scrimmage at Xtream Arena in Coralville on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. The Rose Team defeated the Dash Team 4-3.

Iowa Heartlanders notebook | Franchise emphasizing defense in search of first road win

Isaac Goffin, Sports Reporter December 7, 2022

The Iowa Heartlanders have yet to win an away game during the 2022-23 season, but head coach Derek Damon said they’re close to earning a road victory. Through their first 10 away contests, the...

Players move for the puck during a hockey game between the Iowa Heartlanders and the Cincinnati Cyclones at Xtream Arena in Coralville on Saturday Nov. 26, 2022. The Heartlanders defeated the Cyclones, 4-3.

Iowa Heartlanders defenseman Kevin McKernan providing veteran presence

Isaac Goffin, Sports Reporter November 29, 2022

Iowa Heartlanders defenseman Kevin McKernan said he doesn’t know if it’s a good or bad thing he’s played all his professional games in the ECHL. But Iowa head coach Derek Damon said McKernan...

The puck flies into the goal to score the winning point during a hockey game between the Iowa Heartlanders and the Cincinnati Cyclones at Xtream Arena in Coralville on Saturday Nov. 26, 2022.  The Heartlanders defeated the Cyclones, 4-3.

Iowa Heartlanders down Cincinnati Cyclones in overtime thriller

Isaac Goffin, Sports Reporter November 27, 2022

When Iowa Heartlanders defenseman Matt Murphy saw Cincinnati Cyclones forward Patrick Polino fumble the puck in overtime, he took his chance. Murphy poked the puck and gained possession on Iowa’s...

Players clash into the side of the wall during a hockey game between the Iowa Heartlanders and the Cincinnati Cyclones at Xtream Arena in Coralville on Saturday Nov. 26, 2022.  The Heartlanders defeated the Cyclones, 4-3.

Photos: Iowa Heartlanders hockey vs. Cincinnati Cyclones

Matt Sindt, Photojournalist November 27, 2022

The Iowa Heartlanders hockey team played against the Cincinnati Cyclones at Xtream Arena Saturday. The Heartlanders defeated the Cyclones, 4-3.

Kalamazoo forward Jake Slaker battles with several Iowa defenders during a hockey game between Iowa and Kalamazoo at Xtream Arena in Coralville on Friday, April 8, 2022. The Heartlanders defeated the Wings, 4-2.

‘He can really do it all’: Iowa Heartlanders defenseman Brendan Less adjusting fast

Isaac Goffin, Sports Reporter November 17, 2022

Iowa Heartlanders defenseman Brendan Less skates with brains and brawn. The Ivy League alumnus received 15 penalty minutes while facing the Wichita Thunder on Nov. 12. He recorded a major infraction...

A puck drops during a hockey match between Iowa and Wheeling at Xtream Arena in Coralville on Wednesday, April 6, 2022.

Iowa Heartlanders forward Michael Pastujov emerges as club’s points leader

Isaac Goffin, Sports Reporter November 14, 2022

Forward Michael Pastujov started the 2022-23 season with the club the Iowa Heartlanders faced in their season-opener: the Idaho Steelheads. Fast forward to over three weeks later, and Pastujov’s...

The Iowa Heartlanders fast break toward Indy goalie Justin Kapelmaster during a hockey game between the Iowa Heartlanders and the Indy Fuel at Xtream Arena in Coralville on Saturday, April 9, 2022. The Fuel defeated the Heartlanders, 6-2.

Iowa Heartlanders notebook | Club seeking to keep momentum on the road

Isaac Goffin, Sports Reporter November 9, 2022

The Iowa Heartlanders are seeking their first road win of the 2022-23 season as they play at the Kansas City Mavericks on Friday and the Wichita Thunder on Saturday. After losing six straight games...

Iowa forward Tommy Parrottino challenges two players during a Heartlanders scrimmage at Xtream Arena in Coralville on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. The Rose Team defeated the Dash Team 4-3.

Pair of Iowa Heartlanders rookies becoming early-season standouts

Isaac Goffin, Sports Reporter November 8, 2022

A pair of Iowa Heartlanders rookies are making substantial contributions to the franchise through the first seven games of the 2022-23 season. Though forward Tommy Parrottino and defenseman Nolan Orzeck...

Iowa players embrace after a goal during a hockey game between the Xtream Arena in Coralville Sunday Nov. 6, 2022. (Matt Sindt/Daily Iowa) The Heartlanders beat the Komets 7-2.

Forward Cole Stallard records hat trick in Iowa Heartlanders’ first win of 2022-23

Isaac Goffin, Sports Reporter November 6, 2022

Iowa Heartlanders forward Cole Stallard’s first ECHL hat trick propelled the Heartlanders to their first win of the 2022-23 season on Sunday afternoon. The Heartlanders downed the Fort Wayne Komets,...

Walleye forward John Albert and Heartlander Riese Zmolek fight for control of the puck at a hockey game between the Iowa Heartlanders and Toledo Walleye at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa, on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. Albert scored one goal and earned one assist. The Walleye defeated the Heartlanders 4-0.

Iowa Heartlanders notebook | Franchise makes trades while in slump, Riese Zmolek named captain

Isaac Goffin, Sports Reporter November 2, 2022

The Iowa Heartlanders are off to a poor start in the 2022-23 campaign. Iowa has dropped its first five games and has been outscored 25-11.  Iowa has struggled competing for an entire contest, which...

Iowa defenseman Ryan Wheeler skates during a hockey match between Iowa and Wheeling at Xtream Arena in Coralville on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. The Nailers defeated the Heartlanders, 6-4.

How Iowa Heartlanders defenseman Ryan Wheeler’s family shaped his tenacity

Isaac Goffin, Sports Reporter October 31, 2022

Iowa Heartlanders defenseman Ryan Wheeler has a lion tattoo with a scar over an eye to symbolize his father, who’s blind in one eye.  “Growing up, he didn’t have a ton,” Wheeler said. “It...