GREENSBURG, PA - In the Wheeling Nailers first look at live action this season they defeated the Johnstown Chiefs 3-2 in a shootout Friday night at Kirk S. Nevin Arena. The preseason exhibition ended when Martin Houle stuffed Jean Desrochers on the sixth shootout shot to secure the victory for Wheeling.
The first period featured only 8:16 of even-strength hockey and not surprisingly two powerplay goals to accompany it. Johnstown opened the scoring 3:39 into the first period with Lane Manson in the box for hooking. J.D. Corbin caught the Nailer defense out of position with a saucer pass along the boards which sent Brian Deeth in all alone on David Brown.
The Nailers started to put things together as the period progressed and evened the score with just 1:03 remaining in the period, capitalizing on a five-on-three advantage. Off an offensive-zone faceoff, Paul Bissonnette was able to slide a bouncing puck over to Jason Tejchma who knocked it past goaltender Rob Nie.
A much crisper second period followed with only Wheeling able to find the back of the net. Kyle Rank gave the Nailers a 2-1 advantage with his tally 13:29 into the frame on a feed from Seamus Young and Kevin Croxton.
The goal prompted a goalie substitution for both teams. Brown was replaced by Martin Houle after stopping nine of the 10 shots put on net. Nie stopped eight shots and gave way to Mike Brown.
It would take nearly the entire third period for Johnstown to even the score, striking with just 4:03 remaining in regulation. Again on the powerplay, Michael Cohen's point shot snuck through traffic and behind a screened Houle.
Each team had their chances in the final minutes but the game remained 2-2 and headed to overtime. The five minute extra session yielded three shots for each team but no goals.
The first three shooters for each team in the shootout were all stopped before Konstantin Kalmikov scored to put Wheeling one miss away from a loss. Kevin Du kept the Nailers hopes alive by beating Brown with a forehand move and Randy Rowe had a chance to win it but hit the post. Brendan Cook snapped one past Brown on the stick-side to put the Chiefs against the wall where Houle made the save.
These two teams will square off again Saturday night, this time at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling. Game time is set for 7:35p.m. with a FanFest scheduled for 5p.m. outside the arena. All tickets are available for just $5.
It will be the final preseason matchup for each team before they meet in Johnstown on Thursday to open the 2007-08 regular season. Wheeling will open their home schedule on Oct. 26 against the South Carolina Stingrays.
For ticketing information call the Nailers office at 304-234-GOAL (toll free at 877-NAIL-TIX) or visit www.wheelingnailers.com.
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