ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Clarke's Two Goals Lead Wheeling Win

Published on December 13, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling, W.Va. - Aaron Clarke recorded his second multi-goal game in a little over a week against his former teammate David Brown and the Wheeling Nailers knocked off the Gwinnett Gladiators 3-2 Sunday afternoon at WesBanco Arena.

It was Gwinnett's first regulation road loss of the season having entered the game with an 8-0-2 mark.

The Nailers improved to 12-13-2 with the victory ending their two game losing slide and picking their 4th win in their last 6 games. Gwinnett fell to 13-9-3 overall.

Rookie goalie Brad Thiessen (3-2-0) turned aside 39 of Gwinnett's 41 shots in recording the win.

After a scoreless first period, Wheeling picked up back to back power play goals in the 2nd period to take a 2-0 lead. Blair Yaworski fought his way up the left-wing wall and was able to get the puck to Kevin Schmidt racing towards the slot who slammed home the slapper for his 4th goal of the season.

A few minutes later it was Aaron Clarke taking a centering feed from the Mitch Ganzak on the left point and shooting it past Brown for his 8th of the year at 13:52 of the 2nd to put Wheeling up 2-0.

Gwinnett rallied to tie it at 2-2 over the next couple of minutes with goals at 14:54 and 16:16. Michael Forney stationed himself on the right-wing side of the crease and was able to re-direct a drive past a screened Thiessen for his 2nd goal of the weekend. Then Tom Zanoski roofed a shot from the right-wing circle to roof it on the short-side for his league leading 17th of the year.

Wheeling got the game-winner at 3:39 of the 3rd with an even-strength goal firing it from the center-point to Clarke stationed on the left-wing side of the crease who knocked it in. Gwinnett goalie David Brown vociferously argued the call perhaps claiming he thought the puck had been kicked in but the play stood and Clarke had his 2nd goal of the night and 9th of the year.

Gwinnett had some chanced through a 13 shot final period but Thiessen was up to the challenge and kept the Gladiators out of the net.

Chris Capraro made several nice hustling plays and had two assists on the night. He also came extremely close to scoring on a break-away on a puck juggled by David Brown and almost carried in. He also rang one of the cross-bar later in that 2nd period.

Gwinnett outshot Wheeling 41-35 on the game. The Nailers went 2-for-6 on the power play while the Gladiators were 1-for-5.

It was the final meeting of the regular season between Wheeling and Gwinnett who ended up splitting the season series at 2 games apiece.

Sunday's home game was the Nailers last at WesBanco Arena in two weeks. Wheeling heads to sunny South Florida for a three game series with the Florida Everblades with games slated for Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

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.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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ECHL Stories from December 13, 2009


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