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Teslak's Spectacular Stops Preserve 5-3 Win

January 12, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL) - Wheeling Nailers News Release


Cincinnati, OH - Michael-Lee Teslak appeared to pick up where Brad Thiessen left of and may have even done him one better. Thiessen was called up to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL after being named ECHL Goalie of the Week but it was Teslak who made some of the most spectacular saves of the year in preserving a 5-3 win at Cincinnati Tuesday night.

Teslak picked up his first road win since November 14th when he was with Elmira and turned aside 27 of 30 Cincinnati shots. A couple of his stops could qualify as perhaps the best of the year in what might be arguably the most impressive performance between the pipes the Nailers have had this season.

Thomas Beauregard led the attack against his former team by lighting the lamp a couple of times. Beauregard leads the American Conference with 22 goals and now has 4 goals in his last 3 games following a 3 week scoring slump.

Casey Pierro-Zabotel picked up a goal and an assist and his 19 points in his last 18 games is the most among ECHL rookies since December 1st.

Matt Pierce had a pair of goals for Cincinnati and leads their team with 20.

Wheeling extended their win streak to three straight in improving to 20-16-2. Wheeling has also won 7 of their last 8 as well as 9 of their last 12 games. Wheeling is now 3-4-0 against Cincinnati this season including a pair of wins this week against the talented Cyclones team. The Cyclones fell to 22-13-1 with the loss. The Nailers moved all alone into 6th place in the American Conference with the win breaking a 3-way tie with idle Charlotte and Florida.

Pierce gave the Cyclones the lead at 7:38 of the first period but Pierro-Zabotel got it back a little over a minute later on a nice feed by Beauregard for his 9th of the year.

Chris Davis fired it off the body of Cyclones goalie Jeremy Smith from the left-wing side of the crease but was able to jam home his own rebound at 14: 04 of the first putting the Nailers in front 2-1.

Thomas Beauregard fired a one-timer into the goal on a rebound of a slapshot off the endboards by Alex Grant on the power play. Beauregard's sharp-angle goal gave the Nailers a 3-1 lead.

Zach Sill chased after Cyclones goalie Jeremy Smith and chopped down Smith' s attempt to clear behind his own cage. Sill carried it out in front quickly after his steal and stuffed it into the open net past the desperate dive of Smith for an exciting shorthanded goal at 15:27 of the 2nd giving the Nailers a 4-1 lead.

Matt Pierce got it back on the same power play 31 seconds later off a Teslak rebound to make it 4-2.

Brett Robinson fought his way through Alex Grant for a backhand breakaway goal past Teslak at 11:14 of the 3rd to close the gap to 4-3.

Pierro-Zabotel connected up ice with Beauregard up the left-wing who cut over to the slot, around the defender, and then fading to the right-wing and beat Smith short side for his 2nd goal of the night and 22nd goal of the year. The back-breaking goal at 15:38 of the 3rd provided the Nailers with the 5-3 final margin of victory.

Wheeling was 1-for-5 on the power play while Cincinnati was 1-for-6. Both teams had a shorthanded goal. Cincinnati outshot Wheeling 30-20.

Wheeling closes out action before the All-Star Break with three home games in three days this weekend.

Friday night the Nailers host the Toledo Walleye on WTRF Friday Family 4-pack night.

Saturday against Johnstown is Nailers Ski-Cap night for the first 2500 fans courtesy of WesBanco. The Nailers last home game before the All-Star Break is Sunday at 3:05 against Elmira featuring an open-skate after the game with the Nailers players.

Nailers hockey is always the most awesome family entertainment value in town and we want you there cheering on your hometown team. Kids tickets are always $5 and students get in for only $7. Call the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL

Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame Night is coming January 30th! Before the Nailers tangle with the South Carolina Stingrays we'll honor the newest inductees: Doug Sauter and Nick Bedway. Sauter is the first head coach of the Wheeling Nailers organization and Nick Bedway was a long-time beat-writer for the team before retiring in 2005. Get your tickets for Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame Night and other great upcoming Nailers games by calling 304-234-GOAL or log on to wheelingnailers.com to purchase your tickets online.


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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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