ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Clarke's big goal with 50 seconds left secures valuable standings point

Published on March 5, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling, WV - The Nailers made a thrilling comeback and scored with 50 seconds left in the third to tie the game 2-2 thus earning a valuable standings point in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Charlotte Checkers Friday night at WesBanco Arena. Kyle Bushee and Aaron Clarke lit the lamp for the Nailers while Michael-Lee Teslak made numerous outstanding saves.

A lot of back and forth action resulted in a tie game at 1-1 after the first period. Michel Leveille wrapped it around Michael-Lee Teslak to give the Checkers an early 1-0 lead 4:09 into the first.

Later in the first, Casey Pierro-Zabotel centered one from behind the goal for Kyle Bushee who had cut into the slot. Bushee blasted it home to tie the game 1-1 at 13:01. It was Bushee's 6th goal of the season and Aaron Boogaard was also awarded an assist.

The intensity picked up in the second as Andrew Lord took his 20th major penalty of the season to tie him for second in the league with Brett Gallant of Elmira as he dropped the gloves with Devin Didiomete.

Ryan Crane gave the Checkers a 2-1 lead on a giveaway as he cut in and shot it past Teslak with 1:44 left in the second.

After a heated start to the third period, a frustrated Devin Didiomete, received a 10 minute misconduct and was ejected shortly after.

Late in the third, the Nailers pulled Teslak on a power play opportunity to give Wheeling a 6-on-4 man advantage. Aaron Clarke slid it across the crease and banked it in off of a Charlotte defender to tie the game at 2-2 with only 50 seconds left in regulation. It was Clarke's 18th goal. T.J. Fox and Jon D'Aversa assisted on the play.

A fast paced 4-on-4 overtime period resulted in no game-winners and the game went into a shootout. Billy Ryan and Mitch Ganzak each scored for Wheeling but, Aaron Slattengren, Michel Leveille and Andrew Carroll sealed the victory for the Checkers a Charlotte overcame a 2-1 deficit by scoring in the 4th and 5th rounds to grab the second standings point.

The Charlotte Checkers recently announced their advancement to the AHL making this the last matchup between the two teams.

The Nailers have 60 points and are now tied with the Reading Royals for the 8th and final playoff spot in the American Conference standings.

Saturday night the Nailers take on the Trenton Devils at 8:05pm and Sunday with a matinee start at 3:05pm. Saturday is O.V. McBear Bobblehead giveaway night for the first 2500 fans and also features a post-game auction of the special green and blue jerseys with proceeds to benefit the Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) sponsored by the Ohio Valley Medical Center. Sunday's homestand finale features an open-skate after the game with the Wheeling Nailers players. Remember to bring your skates and gloves.

Call the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL or toll-free at 1-877-NAIL-TIX 1-877-NAIL-TIX . Get your tickets online at the team's website at wheelingnailers.com

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ECHL Stories from March 5, 2010


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