Orlando, FL – The Iowa Heartlanders (10-23-2-0, 20 pts.) visit the Orlando Solar Bears (14-19-4-1, 33 pts.) for the first time ever Friday at 6:00 p.m. 

The Heartlanders are visiting a South Division team for the first time ever and Friday marks Iowa’s first-ever game against the South. Iowa is starting a three-in-three in the Sunshine State, opposing Jacksonville on Saturday and Sunday on the road to complete the three-in-three. 

Iowa is coming off arguably its most-thrilling win of the regular season, 3-2 in the shootout vs. Toledo, last Saturday before the ECHL All-Star break. Iowa trailed 2-0 in the first period, but fought back to tie the game with 26 seconds to go on a net-front scramble strike from Liam Coughlin. Brandon Schultz tallied the shootout-winner in the top of the first round and William Rousseau blocked all 28 shots faced in relief, plus three more in the skills competition. 

The Solar Bears have rebounded with a 13-7-4-1 record since Nov. 24, moving to fourth in the South Division. Orlando sits six points out of the final playoff spot in the South Division. 

Iowa is next at home for Y2K Night, pres. by Performance Health & Fitness, on Fri., Jan. 30 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Kansas City. Tickets start at $10. Sat., Jan. 31 at 6:00 p.m. is EmpowerHer Night: Celebrating Women in Sports, pres. by the Iowa City Area Sports Commission.

Tickets to Heartlanders Home Games

Know Before You Go Guide For Home Games

Broadcast Information

Audio Broadcast: Mixlr.com/GoHeartlanders

FloHockey Video Broadcast (Subscription Service): https://flosports.link/3AZr3GZ

Affiliates: Iowa Heartlanders (Minnesota Wild/Iowa Wild) | Orlando Solar Bears (Tampa Bay Lightning/Syracuse Crunch)

Need To Know:
- The Heartlanders have seven come-from-behind victories of their ten wins this season. 
- Liam Coughlin tallied his first goal with Iowa, and second of the season, Saturday vs. Toledo.
- Nick Carabin scored his first pro goal Saturday vs. Toledo.

Scouting the Heartlanders

The Heartlanders conclude the first half of the season Friday. Through the first half, Iowa has had ten players recalled to the AHL’s Iowa Wild and also notably had their first former player (David Spacek) make his NHL debut in team history (Jan. 2026, Minnesota Wild).

Iowa’s top three point producers are out of the lineup Friday, with forwards Jaxon Nelson and Matt Sop recalled to the Iowa Wild. Keltie Jeri-Leon is Iowa’s active points leader with eight goals and 16 points entering the weekend. 

William Rousseau won his fourth game of the season last Saturday against Toledo, going 28-for-28 in relief. That marked the second time this season Rousseau has entered the game with Iowa trailing, blanked the opposing squad, and been in net for a come-from-behind victory. 

The Heartlanders are looking to net the game’s first goal Friday for the first time since Jan. 2 against Tulsa.