Game 3 Preview: Wheeling at Iowa

Heartlanders play at Xtream Arena for 2nd time

Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Heartlanders (1-1-0-0, 2 pts., 4th Central) host the Wheeling Nailers (0-1-0-0, 0 pts., T-5th Central) for the first time ever Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. It’s a battle of contrasting “histories”; the Heartlanders are one of two ECHL expansion teams while the Nailers are the oldest surviving minor league franchise below the AHL level.Wednesday is the second home game in Heartlanders history. In the first last Friday, Iowa defeated Kansas City, 7-4, in front of more than 4,000 fans at Xtream Arena. The Heartlanders scored a goal in every period and never trailed.Iowa and Wheeling are division foes; both are members of the seven-team Central Division. The top-four teams in each qualify for the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Iowa plays Wheeling seven times this campaign; four of the games are at Xtream Arena.The Heartlanders are home three times this week and continue the StayBridge Suites Home Stand on Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30 at Xtream Arena vs. Toledo (both 7:00 p.m. puck drops). Season ticket memberships, group tickets, mini-plans and flex vouchers are available for the Heartlanders inaugural season by calling 319-569-GOAL and visiting iowaheartlanders.com/tickets.Broadcast Coverage: Listen at Iowaheartlanders.com/listenlive or mixlr.com/goheartlanders. Listen on the in-arena broadcast at 107.5 FM. Watch on FloHockey.tv. NHL Affiliates: Iowa Heartlanders (Minnesota Wild/Iowa Wild) | Wheeling Nailers (Pittsburgh Penguins, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins). Storylines:- The Heartlanders have scored at least one goal in five of six periods this season. The team opened up Friday with two goals in the first frame against Kansas City.- Iowa’s first home game, a 7-4 win, is one of the more-notable expansion team debuts in recent history. Newfoundland (2018-19) and Worcester (2017-18) each debuted with wins in their first games in team history. Tulsa joined the ECHL in 2014-15 and scored nine goals in their first game ever; Tulsa had previously played in the CHL before being absorbed into the ECHL.- Wheeling dropped their first game, 4-3, at Fort Wayne last Friday. Derek Army is the Head Coach of the Nailers and is in his first full campaign. Last season, Wheeling finished with 22 wins (51 points), seventh in the Western Conference.