Royals Tie Series with Third Period Comeback
May 2, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV - Third periods have typically been friendly for the Wheeling Nailers in 2015-16, as they won nine games in comeback fashion, while seeing only two go in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, Monday night's game falls into the latter category. Wheeling led 2-1 after forty minutes, only to see the Reading Royals rally with three unanswered goals in the third period, as they tied the series 1-1 with a 4-2 victory at WesBanco Arena.
One goal was scored in the opening period, and it was an unfortunate bounce that went against the home team, as Reading struck first. The puck got rimmed around the right wall in the Wheeling defensive end. A weird kick spun the loose biscuit into the left circle, where Kevin Goumas sent a fluttering puck under Brian Foster's glove. Yannick Tifu and Justin Crandall were awarded with the helpers, as the Royals outshot the Nailers, 10-8.
Early in the middle frame, the Nailers got a friendly bounce off of the wall, as they tallied the equalizer. Derek Army burst into the offensive zone, whipping a shot that went wide of the left post. The rebound kicked off of the end boards to Matt Tabrum, who squeezed a shot through Adam Morrison. A little more than halfway through the period, Wheeling took its first lead of the evening. Riley Brace pushed a pass to Clark Seymour, who let a wrist shot fly from the middle of the blueline. Seymour's shot found the back of the net on a 5-on-3. Jarrett Burton assisted on both goals, lifting his point total in the series to four.
Midway through the third period, the game took a turn in the other direction, which wasn't good news for Wheeling. Yannick Tifu drew a tripping call to start the rally, as Reading needed just ten seconds to cash in on the power play. Maxim Lamarche took a shot from the left point, which was deflected in by Justin Crandall at the top of the crease. 1:57 later, the Royals went ahead on a 2-on-1 rush. Kevin Goumas skated down the left side of the ice, before dishing a pass over to Brandon Alderson, who slammed in a shot on the right side of the slot. Ian Watters tacked on an insurance tally with 6:20 to go, when he sniped a shot from the left edge of the slot for a 4-2 final score.
Adam Morrison made key stops for Reading, including a 2-on-1 break in the second period. His night ended with 29 saves. Brian Foster suffered the loss for Wheeling, despite turning away 34 of the 38 shots he faced.
The Nailers and Royals will travel to Reading for the next three games of the series on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, with 7:00 start times for all three. If the series requires sixth and seventh games, those will take place at WesBanco Arena on May 9th and 11th at 7:05.
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ECHL Stories from May 2, 2016
- Royals Tie Semifinal Series with 4-2 Win in Wheeling - Reading Royals
- Royals Tie Series with Third Period Comeback - Wheeling Nailers
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