ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Caputi's goal in debut not enough in 5-3 loss

Published on March 4, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Johnstown, Penn. - Luca Caputi made his Nailers debut a successful one with a wrap-around goal in the 1st period but it wasn't enough as the Nailers lost on the road at the Johnstown Chiefs 5-3. It was the first of essentially a 5 game series between the two teams over the next week and a half as they battle for position in the extremely tight North Division race.

John Mazzei also scored his first ever ECHL goal and Bo Cheesman lit the lamp for his 2nd goal of the season. Jon D'Aversa made his 08-09 Nailers debut in this game as well. He was an ECHL All Star in 25 games with the Nailers last season and recorded an assist on the night.

The loss halts the Nailers 2 game win streak. Wheeling had also won 4 of their previous 5 heading into the game.

Wheeling held a 2-0 lead early in the game but 4 unanswered Chiefs goals through the end of the 1st and into the 2nd made the difference.

Wheeling raced out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st period. Cheesman got the scoring started just as a power play had expired as he fired home a rebound into a mostly open net off a save by Kris Mayotte steering away a left-wing drive by Billy Ryan. For the popular Cheesman it was his first goal since scoring in his season debut January 31st against Mississippi.

Luca Caputi scored his 17th goal overall this season (15 with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and 1 with Pittsburgh) when he took the puck along the end-boards and raced forward on the right-wing side of the crease to stuff in the wrap-around and force it through the legs of Mayotte. That goal at the 9:52 mark gave the Nailers a 2-0 lead as they appeared to be dominating the action.

But the Chiefs would storm back with a few odd-man rushes that they were able to convert on to take the lead.

Jarrett Konkle was falling between the circles when a rebound off Nailers goalie David Brown came to him. But Konkle was able to fire it pat the left leg of Brown for his team leading 29th of the year at 17:42 of the 1st to cut the Nailers lead to 2-1 at the first break.

Peter Pohl converted on a breakaway in the opening minute of the first when a pass was tipped forward by Alex Penner. It was Pohl's 26th of the year to tie the game at 2-2.

At the 6:09 mark of the 2nd Pohl fired a centering pass from the left-wing corner for a cutting mike Knight who chipped in his 2nd on of the season past Brown to give the Chiefs their first lead of the game.

Johnstown made it 4-2 at 17:30 of the 2nd when Todd Griffith's close-range backhander deflected off Brown for a top shelf goal for his 8th of the year.

Wheeling stormed back in the 3rd as John Mazzei raced across the Chefs line and cut for the slop where he blasted home a slapper past Mayotte for his 1st ever Nailers tally. The goal at 12:32 was assisted by Jon D'Aversa making his season debut for the Nailers cut the score to 4-3.

Wheeling took a holding penalty with 3:17 to go but were able to kill off the Johnstown power play and get the extra attacker onto the ice for a late rush but Jonstown stole the puck and Andy Contois was able to score the empty-netter to seal the 5-3 win.

Wheeling had a tough time on the power play going 0-for-7 interrupting a stretch in which the Nailers man advantage had been quite successful lately including 4-for-11 in their previous 4 games.

The Nailers fell to 3-4-1 against the Chiefs this season including 3-2 at Cambria County War Memorial.

The Nailers are beginning a stretch in which they play 5 out of 6 games against Johnstown (with 1 game vs. Reading in the middle). The Nailers are just coming off a similar 5 game stretch vs. the Trenton Devils in which the Nailers lost the opener on the road but stormed back to win the next 4 straight.

The series continues this weekend at WesBanco Arena with a pair of home games against the Chiefs.

Friday night the Nailers play the Chiefs at 7:35. Saturday's face-off is set for 8:05.

Friday night is Friday Family 4-pack night. Get 4 tickets, 4 sodas, 4 hot dogs and a large popcorn all for $44. Saturday night is Nailers Youth Jersey give-away for the first 1000 kids age 14 and under courtesy of United Bank and WTOV. It's also the Nailers Ticket Extravaganza promotion with lots of tickets to several great area events being given away to the fans in attendance.

Post-game playoff packages are available now. Purchase your 6-game playoff package that is good for the entire post-season. You get a discount vs. the gate price and any unused playoff credits are forwarded to the following season.

For more information contact the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL (that's 234-4625) or log on at wheelingnailers.com.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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ECHL Stories from March 4, 2009


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