Heartlanders score on first shot, Cajan makes next 23 stops to beat Iowa, 3-1

Cincinnati, OH – The Iowa Heartlanders scored on the game’s first shot, but Cincinnati Cyclones netminder Pavel Cajan stopped the next 23 shots to defeat the Heartlanders, 3-1, Friday at Heritage Bank Center. Braeden Kressler iced it with an empty-netter in the final two minutes.

Iowa had a season-best eight-game point streak snapped (6-0-1-1).

Iowa scored on the game’s first shot at :31 of the first to take a 1-0 advantage. Keanan Stewart, a former Cyclone, lofted the puck in on a shot from the left circle, beating the goaltender to the long post. Zeteny Hadobas and Yuki Miura assisted. Cincinnati tied the game with 7:00 left in the first on Ryan McLeary’s third of the season. 

Cincinnati took their first lead with 5:02 left in the second, 2-1. Chas Sharpe slapped it top shelf at the high slot on the power play. Cincinnati went 1-for-6 on the man up.

Kyle McClellan made 21 saves (2 GA) in defeat. 

 

Box Score

Tickets to Heartlanders Home Games

The Heartlanders continue the road swing at Toledo on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. and Sunday at 4:15 p.m. Iowa is back home for three games against Kalamazoo on Jan. 31-Feb. 2.

$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). 

January 31^st at 7:00 p.m.: Educator Appreciation Night, pres. by MidWestOne Bank

Celebrate our amazing educators at the Iowa Heartlanders Educator Appreciation Night, presented by MidWestOne Bank, where we'll honor teachers with special recognitions and exciting surprises! 

This will be a night of fun-filled activities and heartfelt tributes to the incredible educators who inspire and shape our future.

February 1^st at 6:00 p.m.: Women in Sports Night, pres. by the Iowa City Area Sports Commission

Join us for Women in Sports Night, presented by the Iowa City Area Sports Commission, celebrating the incredible achievements and inspiring stories of female athletes, coaches and women working for sports teams! Want to learn more about the basics of hockey? We have a plan for you! From 2:00-3:00 p.m. we are hosting a special Hockey 101 session, featuring the Heartlanders AND two special guests from the PWHL’s Minnesota Frost: Mellissa Channell-Watkins and Sophie Jacques. 

February 2^nd at 3:00 p.m. vs. Kalamazoo: Postgame skate pres. by The Family Dental Center.

The Heartlanders wrap up a three-game homestand against division foe Kalamazoo. Join us after the game for a postgame skate, pres. by The Family Dental Center. 

Don’t miss an update from the Heartlanders 

Follow Iowa Heartlanders social media (@goheartlanders) and don’t miss any of the excitement. Sign up here to be notified by text message for team news and updates.

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!