Heartlanders whip Wichita to end snowy week, 5-1

Wichita, KS – Ryan Miotto scored twice and Matt Sop and Will Calverley each had three points for the Iowa Heartlanders in a dominating 5-1 win over the Wichita Thunder Sunday at INTRUST Bank Arena. Iowa has won two straight games and took two of the three against the Thunder this weekend.

Iowa scored the first four goals, including three in the second. William Rousseau (win, 27 saves) made his first 25 saves and has now won six straight ECHL games.

Iowa exploded for three in the second, all set up by Sop and Calverley, to take a 3-0 lead after two. At :35 of the second, T.J. Walsh received a tic-tac-toe pass wide open at the right post to slam it in Iowa’s first goal. Sop started by crafting it effortlessly to Calverley alone at the net front. Calverley drifted to the right post and nutmegged the defender with a feed through the wickets to Walsh alone. Walsh is tied with Ryan Miotto for a team-best ten goals this season. 

Next, Sop did it himself with a brilliant breakaway finish at 4:14 of the middle period. Reading both the goaltender and the defender nudging him from the back, Sop waited each out, dragged to his backhand and finished his eighth of the year. Calverley assisted again.

Miotto scored Iowa’s first power-play goal of the season series with a rip alone at the slot. Once again, Calverley got it to Sop at the left circle and Sop bent it to Miotto’s forehand for a wicked wrister. Miotto also scored to make it 5-1 on a snapper from the left circle with 31.4 seconds to go. 

Timmy Kent made it 4-0 earlier in the third with 9:32 elapsed on a rip from the right post.

Gabe Carriere lost despite 39 saves. The Heartlanders took at least 44 shots in each of their three games this weekend vs. Wichita.

Box Score

Tickets to Heartlanders Home Games

Iowa is at home for three games Friday, Jan. 10 at 7:00 p.m. for Golden Ticket Night vs. Kalamazoo, Saturday Jan. 11 at 6:00 p.m. for Dash’s Birthday Party vs. Indy and Sunday, Jan. 12 at 3:00 p.m. vs. Indy for Heartland Heroes Night.

The Heartlanders host Pride Night on Sat., Jan. 17 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Tahoe. Get ready for a HUGE night at Xtream Arena on Sat., Jan. 18 at 6:00 p.m. for Wild, Wild Midwest Night vs. Tahoe. Iowa concludes a six-game homestand vs. Tahoe on Sun., Jan. 19 at 3:00 p.m.

$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!