Heartlanders Suffer Defeat in First Game Down South, 3-1
ECHL Iowa Heartlanders

Heartlanders Suffer Defeat in First Game Down South, 3-1

Published on January 23, 2026 under ECHL (ECHL)
Iowa Heartlanders News Release


Orlando, FL - The Iowa Heartlanders scored first, but the Orlando Solar Bears edged Iowa, 3-1, Friday at Kia Center. Orlando scored twice in a 55-second span in the second period to break a tie and take a multi-goal edge. Friday was the only game of the season series between Iowa and Orlando.

Jonny Sorenson opened the scoring on a backhander at the left post 3:08 into the game on Iowa's second shot. Stevie Leskovar found Sorenson behind the net, Sorenson moved it to the slot, following the puck and pushed the puck over a defender and in.

Logan Britt tied the game nine minutes later on a snap shot from the top of the left-wing circle. In the second period, Aaron Luchuk potted at 16:42 of the frame to make it 2-1 Solar Bears. Less than a minute later, Dyllan Gill flipped a right-point shot off a defender's foot and in.

Riley Mercer took the loss despite 26 saves. Jon Gillies won with 25 saves. He made 23 straight denials after Iowa struck first.

Iowa visits Jacksonville for back-to-back games Sat., Jan. 24 at 6:00 p.m. and Sun., Jan. 25 at 2:00 p.m.

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

Heartlanders Family 4 Packs (4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas, 1 large popcorn starting at $69) and the Deer & Beers Ticket Bundle (1 ticket and 2 domestic beers for $25) are now available.

Tickets to Heartlanders Home Games

Get Tickets - Friday, January 30th vs. Kansas City: Y2K Night

Presented by Performance Health & Fitness

We're throwing it back a time we all thought the world was going to end - Y2K Night - presented by Performance Health & Fitness! The Heartlanders take on the Kansas City Mavericks January 30th at 7:00 p.m. and we need your help to bring the best beats from the early 2000s to send the rink back in time!

Get Tickets - Saturday, January 31st vs. Indy: EmpowerHer: Celebrating Women in Sports

Presented by Iowa City Area Sports Commission

Join the Heartlanders in celebrating the stories and achievements of female athletes, coaches and all women in sports! EmpowerHer Night, presented by the Iowa City Area Sports Commission, kicks off January 31st at 6:00 p.m. against the Indy Fuel. Enjoy a pregame pyrotechnic show, LED bracelet giveaway, and a specialty postgame jersey live auction to celebrate all women in sports!

Make sure you're here: Call 319-569-4625 or visit iowaheartlanders.com/tickets/ticket-plans to learn more about ticket package options or group ticket pricing for company outings, birthday parties or community groups of 10 or more.

For Corporate Partnerships call 319-855-1775 or info@iowaheartlanders.com. Align your business with the excitement of the Heartlanders coming off their best season yet. Partnerships can range from in-arena signage, such as dasherboards and video board advertisements, to digital and social media collaborations, reaching over 20,000 followers. Our team is eager to work with businesses to create tailored corporate partnership packages that meet specific marketing and business objectives.

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ECHL Stories from January 23, 2026


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