Beauregard's Goals Lead 5-3 Nailers' Win
Published on December 18, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Estero, Fla. - Thomas Beauregard took over the league lead in goals by scoring a pair in the 3rd period to lead the Nailers to a 5-3 win at the Florida Everblades Friday night. The win was the first ever for Wheeling against Florida in their third try and evens up the three-game road series at one game apiece.
Beauregard pushed the Nailers out in front 4-2 with a goal about midway through the 3rd and then sealed the victory with an empty-netter with under a minute remaining. Beauregard had been without a goal for his last 6 games dating to his hat trick two weeks ago against Johnstown. The Montreal native now has 18 goals to take over the ECHL lead past three other players.
Aaron Clarke (10th), Kevin Schmidt (6th) and Blair Yaworski (6th) also scored for Wheeling while Casey Pierro-Zabotel contributed three assists.
The Nailers improved to 13-14-2 with the win and improved to 8-7-0 on the road. Florida fell to 13-12-4 with the loss. The two teams will play the finale of their three game series Saturday night at 7:30.
Aaron Clarke started the scoring with his 10th of the year and 6th in his last 7 games just 2 minutes into the game glancing it off the right shoulder of the Florida goalie Mike Morrison to give Wheeling a 1-0 lead. But Florida rallied with an 18 shot barrage in the 1st period, the most the Nailers allowed in an opening period this year.
Scott Guthrie poked in his 8th of the year on the power play at 5:48 and Matt Duffy drove in his 2nd of the year from the right point at 9:51 putting the Everblades up 2-1.
Kevin Schmidt tied the score 2-2 on the power play with a goal from the right point at 1:29 of the 2nd. It was the 6th of the season for the rookie out of Bowling Green.
Blair Yaworski picked up a puck in the middle that had been poked off his stick on a partial breakaway and fired it home to give the Nailers the 3-2 lead at 8:04 of the 2nd. It was the Yale University product's 6th of the year and was part of a solid performance for him that included a save on a backhand to deny Kevin Baker in the 3rd period right on the goal-line after Thiessen had stopped the initial drive.
Wheeling had all the momentum through much of the 2nd period and Beauregard and Mitch Ganzak also beat Morrison but hit posts. After Yaworski's goal, Florida head coach Malcolm Cameron called time-out to rally his troops and his tactic appeared to work for a stretch as Florida had more energy when play resumed.
Wheeling picked up a huge goal in the 3rd period when Beauregard picked up a loose puck and raced up the right-wing accompanied by Ryan Schnell on a 2-on-1 rush. Beauregard kept it himself and rifled it to the far post at 12:31 of the 3rd to stretch the Nailers' lead to 4-2.
Florida got it back when former Nailer Jordan Morrison stole it along the end-boards on Wheeling goalie Brad Thiessen's clearing try. As Thiessen scrambled to get back to the crease the Everblades were able to find Ryan Lang in the circle to score into the open net to close the gap to 4-3.
Florida went on the power play with just over 3 minutes remaining and the Nailers were barely able to hang onto their lead thanks to some nice blocks by Wheeling penalty-killers and a couple missed opportunities by reigning ECHL MVP Kevin Baker who fanned on a couple golden chances to tie the game.
Beauregard raced up the right-wing and weaved through a couple of defensemen with less than a minute remaining to find the open net to ice the game.
The Nailers play their last game before the holiday break Saturday night at 7:30 at Florida to wrap up the road trip.
After a break for the Christmas holiday the Nailers will return to action Saturday, December 26th at Kalamazoo.
Wheeling's next home game is Sunday, December 27th at 6:35 against Elmira on another Sunday Family FunDay featuring a post-game open-skate with the Nailers players. Be sure to bring your skates and gloves!
The Nailers also have their traditional New Years' Eve game upcoming with a Thursday, December 31st matchup against the Toledo Walleye on Michael Jackson Tribute Night!
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.
ECHL Stories from December 18, 2009
- Walleye Slip Past Chiefs - Johnstown Chiefs
- Steelheads Beat Alaska, 4-2 - Idaho Steelheads
- Kalamazoo Scores Three Times in the Third to Defeat Gwinnett 4-2 - Kalamazoo Wings
- Jackals End Road Trip With Loss At Reading - Elmira Jackals
- Beauregard's Goals Lead 5-3 Nailers' Win - Wheeling Nailers
- Gladiators Fall to Wings - Atlanta Gladiators
- Stingrays Tie Franchise Record in 4-3 Win at Charlotte - South Carolina Stingrays
- Everblades Fall Short, Wheeling Wins 5-3 - Florida Everblades
- Checkers Dropped By Red Hot Stingrays - Charlotte Checkers
- Police Appreciation Night at the Reign - Ontario Reign
- Nailers Weekend Preview - Wheeling Nailers
- K-Wings Countdown To Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Scott Langdon Activated From Injured Reserve - Reading Royals
- Ryan Stokes Headed To Providence - Toledo Walleye
- Trenton Devils Acquire Slavomir Tomko - Trenton Devils
- Everblades Promote Two D-Men to AHL - Florida Everblades
- "Voice Of The Chiefs" Appears As Guest Columnist - Johnstown Chiefs
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Stingrays Gameday: Stingrays Look To Continue Hot Streak In Charlotte Tonight - South Carolina Stingrays
- Flyers Assign Teslak To Wheeling - Wheeling Nailers
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder At Victoria Salmon Kings - Stockton Thunder
- Fog, McBride Greet Alaska In Boise - Alaska Aces
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.
