Nailers and Americans to Decide 2016 Kelly Cup Final
May 25, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced their opponent and schedule for the 2016 Kelly Cup Final. The Nailers will face the Allen Americans in a best-of-seven series, beginning on Saturday night at Allen Event Center.
The Nailers and Americans both finished in the middle of the pack in their respective conference playoff structure, as Wheeling was the fifth place team in the Eastern Conference, while Allen ended up in fourth place in the Western Conference.
The Nailers opened the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs on the road against the Florida Everblades, whom they defeated in six games, winning games four, five, and six, after falling behind 2-1. Next on the docket was a series with the Reading Royals, which gave Wheeling home ice advantage in round two. Despite winning their longest game in team history during game four, the Nailers trailed the series 3-2, before picking up two huge wins at WesBanco Arena to advance. Wheeling took game six, 8-3, before a memorable 4-3 overtime triumph in game seven. The Nailers then had to tangle with the South Carolina Stingrays, who finished the regular season with 98 points. Wheeling battled back from a three-goal deficit in game two of the Eastern Conference Final, then came out in top of game three. Unfortunately, the Stingrays responded in games four and five, pushing the Nailers to the brink. A fourth overtime victory forced the series to seven games, which is when Wheeling prevailed, utilizing a three-goal third period to defeat South Carolina, 5-2.
The Americans were the higher seed in their first round series against the Idaho Steelheads, and those home games proved to be very valuable, as they lost two of three games in Boise to fall behind, 3-2. Allen took game six, 4-2, then registered an overtime victory in game seven for its fifth straight ECHL playoff series win. In round two, the Americans faced the tall task of challenging the Brabham Cup Champion Missouri Mavericks. Allen once again performed well on home ice, winning twice, before finishing the series with a 5-1 thumping of the Mavericks in game six at Independence. The Western Conference Final round was the quickest for the Americans, who disposed of the Fort Wayne Komets in five games. Two of the four wins came in overtime, including a three-goal comeback in the third period of game four, which put Allen ahead, 3-1 in the series.
These will be the first ever games played between the Nailers and Americans. Allen joined the ECHL in the summer of 2014, when the Americans and six other clubs came over from the Central Hockey League. Allen originally joined the CHL in 2009. Between the two leagues, the Americans have won three consecutive championships. The Nailers are in their 24th season in the ECHL, as the team moved to Wheeling in 1992, starting play as the Thunderbirds. The 1992-93 campaign was the last time that a Wheeling squad had reached the league's championship series, which was then known as the Riley Cup Final.
The tickets that will be utilized during this series will be Game K (June 1st), Game L (June 3rd), and Game M (June 4th). Fans can purchase playoff packages, starting as low as $17 per ticket by calling (304) 234-GOAL. Season ticket holders must contact the Nailers office to reserve their tickets for round two. Kids tickets will be $5 for the Kelly Cup Final, and for the adults in the crowd, the June 3rd game is a Frosty Friday. Season tickets and mini plans for the 2016-17 campaign, the 25th season of professional hockey in Wheeling, are also available.
The 2016 Kelly Cup Final Series between the Wheeling Nailers and Allen Americans will begin at Allen Event Center on Saturday at 9:05, followed by game two on Sunday at 5:05. The series will then shift to WesBanco Arena for games three, four, and five (if necessary) on June 1st at 7:05, June 3rd at 7:35, and June 4th at 7:35 (if necessary). If the series is to return to Texas, games six and seven would be played on June 9th at 8:05 and June 11th at 8:05.
Kelly Cup Final
Wheeling Nailers vs. Allen Americans
Game 1 - Sat. May 28th at Allen, 9:05
Game 2 - Sun. May 29th at Allen, 5:05
Game 3 - Wed. June 1st AT WHEELING, 7:05
Game 4 - Fri. June 3rd AT WHEELING, 7:35
Game 5 - Sat. June 4th AT WHEELING, 7:35 (if necessary)
Game 6 - Thu. June 9th at Allen, 8:05 (if necessary)
Game 7 - Sat. June 11th at Allen, 8:05 (if necessary)
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