Barton Nets Two, as 20th Season Concludes
Published on April 7, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
KALAMAZOO, MI- Chris Barton scored the final two goals of the season for the 2011-12 Wheeling Nailers, who unfortunately, saw their 20th season in franchise history come to an end on Saturday night. Dwight Helminen's goal in the second period ended up being the difference, as the Kalamazoo Wings won the game 3-2 and the series 3-1.
For the fourth time in the series, the Wings opened the scoring. At the 5:46 mark of the first period, Justin Taylor took the puck in the left corner, and sent it to the middle. The shot ended up finding its way into the goal, giving Kalamazoo the lead. Later in the period, the home team added to their advantage. Wheeling had a difficult time controlling the puck in their own zone, allowing Darren Archibald to set up Kory Karlander, who scored with a wrist shot from high in the slot. In the final minutes of the first period, the Nailers began to swing things their way. Chris Barton picked up the puck on the left side of the net with 1:31 remaining, before slipping a shot through Riley Gill's pads.
Midway through the second period, Kalamazoo added to the lead. Darryl Bootland stole the puck away in front of his own bench, and sent a cross-ice pass to Dwight Helminen on the right side of the offensive zone. Helminen hesitated briefly, before scoring along the ice from the circle.
The Nailers came out strong in the third period, and quickly trimmed the deficit to one. Chris Barton and Paul Crowder exchanged passes in the offensive zone, with Crowder setting up Barton for his second goal of the night, and his fourth of the series. Cody Chupp also assisted on the goal, which made the score 3-2. Unfortunately for Wheeling, that was how the game ended, as the Wings advanced to the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Riley Gill finished his stellar series, making 26 saves on 28 shots for the Wings. Patrick Killeen suffered the loss for the Nailers, stopping 23 of the 26 shots he faced.
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- ECHL Today - April 7 - ECHL
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