
Teddy Bear Toss Friday at Xtream Arena Features First Shootout Win
December 11, 2021 - ECHL (ECHL)
Iowa Heartlanders News Release
Coralville, IA - The Iowa Heartlanders won their first shootout in team history, 3-2, against the Toledo Walleye on the team's first ever Teddy Bear Toss Friday at Xtream Arena.
Joe Widmar was the hero with the shootout-winning goal in the bottom of the third round, the only score of the skills competition. Trevin Kozlowski continued his hot streak saving 33 in the win and all three in the shootout. Over his last four games, Kozlowski is averaging 37 saves a game.
Cole Stallard triggered the teddy tossing less than four minutes into the game with a goal at net front and the bears began to fly. Once the puck crossed the line, fans started throwing their bears onto the ice, and play was stopped as players and staff helped gather the toys. The bears are donated to Toys for Tots to provide stuffed animals for kids in need this holiday season.
The Fish matched the 'Landers, 1-1, at 4:35 of the second off the stick of John Albert, his tenth goal of the season. Toledo then took the lead on a power-play goal at 18:18 of the second. Mitchell Heard, who signed with the Walleye Thursday, flipped the puck in from the left circle. It was his first ECHL goal in four seasons.
Iowa tied the game at 4:39 of the third period thanks to Zach White, who was playing in his first professional hockey game. White scored on a slap shot from the middle slot after Yuki Miura dished him the puck from behind the net.
It was the Heartlanders' second come-from-behind win in team history, and their first ever victory against the Toledo Walleye.
On Saturday, Dec. 11, the Heartlanders rematch the Walleye for another Healthcare Heroes Night, pres. by Mercy Iowa City.
The Heartlanders are on the road Dec. 17-18 at the Kansas City Mavericks, with both games at 7:05 p.m.
Season ticket memberships, group tickets, mini-plans, flex vouchers and single-game tickets are available for the Heartlanders inaugural season by calling 319-569-GOAL and visiting iowaheartlanders.com/tickets.
ECHL Stories from December 11, 2021
- Stingrays Can't Overcome Three Opening Period Goals - South Carolina Stingrays
- Keenan, Albert Score as Toledo Falls to the Heartlanders - Toledo Walleye
- Rabbits Fall Short of Gladiators on Saturday Night - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Jordan Lavallee-Smotherman Nets Hat Trick in Railers 4-2 Teddy Bear Toss Win Saturday Night - Worcester Railers HC
- Wild Third Period Downs K-Wings - Kalamazoo Wings
- Solar Bears Tricked by Mikhalchuk, Icemen in 7-2 Loss - Orlando Solar Bears
- Sylvester and Kielly Play Hero on Marvel Night for Atlanta - Atlanta Gladiators
- Hausinger Brings Teddy Bears, Hats and a Win on Elf Night - Wheeling Nailers
- Bricknell and Romano Lead Comeback Effort, Mariners Fall a Goal Short - Maine Mariners
- Florida Capsize Norfolk 4-0 for Three-Game Sweep - Florida Everblades
- Lions Winning Streak Comes to a Close in St. John's - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Growlers Get Past Lions 5-4 - Newfoundland Growlers
- Game Preview: Solar Bears at Icemen, December 11, 2021 - Jacksonville Icemen
- ECHL Transactions - December 11 - ECHL
- Riley Mckay Recalled by the IceHogs - Indy Fuel
- ECHL Announces Fines, Suspension - ECHL
- Mariners Sunday Road Game at Adirondack Postponed - Maine Mariners
- ECHL Announces Postponement of Thunder Games Through December 12 - Adirondack Thunder
- Tonight's Game against Adirondack Postponed Due to League Health and Safety Protocols - Reading Royals
- Game Notes: vs Kansas City - Rapid City Rush
- Quinn Wichers Called up to AHL Tucson - Rapid City Rush
- Glads Look to Finish off Three-Game Home Stretch - Atlanta Gladiators
- Aaron Luchuk Returns to Solar Bears - Orlando Solar Bears
- Lions Looking to Extend Winning Streak to 8 Games - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- First-Place Everblades Go for the Sweep in Norfolk - Florida Everblades
- Allen Holds off Thunder Comeback Bid - Wichita Thunder
- Rush Thump Mavericks, 7-3 - Rapid City Rush
- Goals in Each Period Lead Steelheads Past Stingrays, 3-1 - Idaho Steelheads
- Hard Fought Match Ends with Idaho on Top - South Carolina Stingrays
- Cyclones Gas Fuel, Take 6-2 Win - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Walleye Fall to Heartlanders, 3-2, in First Shootout of the Year - Toledo Walleye
- Teddy Bear Toss Friday at Xtream Arena Features First Shootout Win - Iowa Heartlanders
- Americans Take Both Games in Wichita - Allen Americans
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