Allen Ties Series in Front of Sellout Crowd in Wheeling

June 3, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release

WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers have played lots of games and done plenty of travel during the Kelly Cup Playoffs, and there is now one more trip on the horizon. That's because the Allen Americans won game four of the series on Friday night, meaning game six will take place in Texas. Chad Costello broke a 2-2 tie at the 3:38 mark of the third period, then Eric Roy added an empty netter, giving the Americans the 4-2 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 5,439 at WesBanco Arena.

The scoring took a bit to develop in the first period, as neither team was able to capitalize on the power play. However, both sides found the back of the net in the final four minutes of the stanza. Allen got the first tally at the 16:02 mark. Chad Costello scraped a puck off of the end wall, which he centered to Casey Pierro-Zabotel. The former Wheeling forward slid a pass through the slot for Gary Steffes, who deposited a shot on the right side. The Nailers got the equalizer with just over 15 seconds left. Danny Fick took a shot from the right point, which got stopped, but the rebound was squeezed in by Dan O'Donoghue.

The second period followed a similar script, but in the reverse order. With 5:43 remaining, the Nailers took their first lead of the night. O'Donoghue took the puck off of the right wall with John McCarron's help, and spotted Cody Wydo, who was camped out in front of the cage. Wydo redirected O'Donoghue's dish through Riley Gill, putting the home team ahead. However, the Americans came back to even things up with 1:45 left. Wheeling turned the puck over in the offensive zone, leading to a 2-on-0. Franky Palazzese stopped Vincent Arseneau, but Nikita Jevpalovs put in the rebound.

At the 3:38 mark, Allen went back on top, and ended up staying there for good. Rick Pinkston swung a pass through center ice for Chad Costello. The leading scorer in the playoffs had a defender draped on him from behind, but managed to battle through, sweeping in a goal on his forehand. Eric Roy added an empty netter with under 35 seconds left for a 4-2 final score.

Riley Gill put together a strong performance in net for Allen, turning away 32 of the 34 shots he faced in the win. Franky Palazzese suffered the defeat for Wheeling, despite making 25 saves on 28 shots.

The Nailers and Americans will play game five on Saturday night, beginning at 7:35. Limited tickets remain.

Wheeling Nailers Try to Hold the Allen Americans at Bay

ECHL Stories from June 3, 2016

• Americans Even up the Series at Two, with 4-2 Game 4 Win - Allen Americans
• Allen Ties Series in Front of Sellout Crowd in Wheeling - Wheeling Nailers
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• Americans Look to Even It up Tonight in Wheeling - Allen Americans
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