Nailers defeat Iowa in Wheeling, 6-2

Wheeling, WV – The Iowa Heartlanders held a couple of leads in the first period, but the Wheeling Nailers scored five in a row in the first and second period to best the Iowa Heartlanders, 6-2, Saturday at Wesbanco Arena.

Iowa led twice in the first period, but Wheeling erased both deficits to take a 3-2 advantage through 20 minutes. First, at 2:42 of the first, Ryan Miotto redirected the puck in at the right slot, bouncing it in on a shot from Hakon Nilsen. Will Zmolek earned the secondary assist. Wheeling tied the game three minutes later.

On the Landers’ second goal at 8:38, T.J. Walsh earned his team-best ninth of the season, slinging it from the right goal line off a body and in, assisted by Will Cavlerley and Andrew McLean. Wheeling scored the next two goals to take a 3-2 advantage in a two-minute span.

In the second period, Kyle Jackson (2^nd of game, 3:33), Matt Koopman (4:37) and Atley Calvert (19:48) rattled in Nailers goals to take a 6-2 edge.

Kyle McClellan took the loss with 21 saves.

Taylor Gauthier blocked 28 shots for his fourth win of the season.
 

Box Score

Tickets to Heartlanders Home Games

The Heartlanders visit Wheeling Sunday at 3:10 p.m. to wrap up a week on the road. Next weekend, Iowa visits Wichita Friday at 7:05 p.m., Saturday at 6:05 p.m. and Sunday at 2:05 p.m.

Iowa is next at home for three games Friday, Jan. 10 for Golden Ticket Night vs. Kalamazoo, Saturday Jan. 11 for Dash’s Birthday Party vs. Indy and Sunday, Jan. 12 vs. Indy for Heartland Heroes Night.

$10 Online Youth Tickets

Starting in January, grab $10 online youth tickets to any Heartlanders home game! Purchase 1 regular-priced ticket, and get $10 online youth tickets (age 17 and under) to any seating section (excluding glass/premium seats). 

Hat Trick Package Now Available

Get Tickets To 3 Unforgettable Nights + A Heartlanders Hat, starting at $45. 

Wild, Wild Midwest Night (Country Night): Saturday, January 18 at 6:00 pm vs. Tahoe Knight Monsters

Stick It To Cancer Night: Saturday, February 15 at 6:00 pm vs. Toledo Walleye

Fan Appreciation Night: Saturday, April 12 at 6:00 pm vs. Cincinnati Cyclones

January 10^th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Kalamazoo: Golden Ticket Night

Let the magic of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the Oompa-Loompas take you to a world of pure imagination!

January 11^th at 6:00 p.m. vs. Indy: Dash’s Birthday Party

Dash's Birthday is the ULTIMATE BIRTHDAY BASH for our mascot Dash and we need you to cheer your loudest and sing your best "Happy Birthday" to let Dash know he's the best mascot in the ECHL. 

January 12^th at 3:00 p.m. vs. Indy: Heartland Heroes Day + Postgame Skate (pres. by The Family Dental Center)

We’re honoring our local heroes whose bravery and dedication keep our communities safe at our annual Heartland Heroes game. Meet the remarkable people who make a difference and join in celebrating the true champions of eastern Iowa. After the game, enjoy a postgame skate pres. by The Family Dental Center.

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Single-game tickets, mini-plans, group tickets, flex tickets and season-ticket plans are available! Call 319-855-1775 to discuss options, or visit this link to make your plans for the 2024-25 season!