Crazy Comeback Falls One Short in Reading
Published on December 12, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
READING, PA- The Wheeling Nailers came one bounce away from a comeback that would have made headlines across the ECHL on Friday night. Unfortunately for them, their four-goal third period wasn't enough. The Reading Royals scored the game's first four goals, and ultimately held on for a 5-4 victory at Santander Arena. Brandon Alderson scored the first and last goals for the home team.
The Royals struck for the lone goal during the first period, doing so at the 4:29 mark. Reading cycled the puck around the offensive zone, with Ryan Cruthers ultimately setting up Brandon Alderson for a one-timer from the slot. Alderson buried the shot into the right side of the net. Despite it being the lone marker in the frame, Alderson's tally helped the home team to a 14-6 advantage in shots on goal, including a 12-2 run to end the period.
The middle frame featured more offense, but unfortunately for Wheeling, all of the goals went Reading's way. With 8:02 remaining, Willie Coetzee blocked a clearing attempt, allowing Ryan Cruthers to set up Pat Mullane for a power play goal from the bottom of the right circle. 24 seconds later, the Royals struck again, as Olivier Labelle found a loose puck in the slot, spinning a shot in along the ice. Zach Davies capped the second period scoring for the host squad, wristing in a power play goal from the top of the left circle for a 4-0 score after two.
Wheeling attempted an incredible comeback in the third, and nearly pulled it off. Paul Cianfrini put the visitors on the board at the 1:30 mark, slamming in a one-time feed from Chaz Johnson. The Royals answered 5:18 later on what turned out to be an enormous goal. In a play similar to the first tally of the night, Ryan Cruthers centered a pass for a one-timer, which was rung in by Brandon Alderson. Tyler Fernandez bounced a goal in for the Nailers at the 9:26 mark of the third, before a splendid individual and shorthanded effort by Tyler Murovich made the score 5-3 with just under half of a period to go. Zack Torquato's blast on the power play with 1:37 remaining brought Wheeling to within one, but unfortunately, the Nailers were unable to get the equalizer, falling 5-4.
Martin Ouellette was the winning goaltender for Reading, making 34 saves on 38 shots. Franky Palazzese fell for Wheeling, stopping 31 of the 36 shots he faced.
The Nailers and Royals will do battle in Reading again on Saturday at 7:05, before traveling to Wheeling for a third straight contest on Sunday at 5:05.
The December 14th contest against the Reading Royals is a Family Funday, with $5 kids tickets available, a post game skate with the team, and a visit by the Good Zoo at Oglebay. On December 19th & 20th, Wheeling will host the Greenville Road Warriors. The 19th is a Frosty & Flat Screen Friday, presented by The Highlands & The Law Firm of Bordas and Bordas. There will also be a Max MacKay Poster Giveaway, courtesy of Rich and Shirley's Quick Print of Wheeling. The 20th is a season ticket redemption night and team picture giveaway (holiday edition).
Holiday packs are also available. For $49, fans can purchase the Elf Package, receiving four ticket vouchers, a t-shirt, and an autographed puck. For $99, fans can purchase the Reindeer Package, receiving ten ticket vouchers. For $129, fans can purchase the Santa Package, receiving four ticket vouchers, a replica jersey, and a Reebok hat.
Wheeling Nailers 2014-15 season tickets, flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now. For more information, call 304-234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com.
Listen to all Nailers regular season and post-season games live on the Valley's rock station EAGLE 107.5 FM, on www.iheartradio.com or watch live on www.echl.tv. Catch every road game live on WLUTV on Comcast Cable 14.
ECHL Stories from December 12, 2014
- Bathgate Gets a Point in Beast Debut - Brampton Beast
- Hjelle Earns First Win as Oilers Cruise Past Beast on Teddy Bear Toss Night - Tulsa Oilers
- IceMen Doubled up in 4-2 Loss to Fort Wayne - Evansville IceMen
- Rush Win 2nd in Last 3 - Rapid City Rush
- Everblades Hold off Fuel to Earn Fourth Straight Win - Florida Everblades
- Mallards Quiet Thunder - Quad City Mallards
- K-Wings celebrate Ftorek's 1,000th career game with a shutout victory - Kalamazoo Wings
- Crazy Comeback Falls One Short in Reading - Wheeling Nailers
- Indy Comeback Falls Short in 3-2 Loss to 'Blades - Indy Fuel
- Greger Hanson Loaned to Oklahoma City - Allen Americans
- ECHL Transactions - December 12 - ECHL
- Countdown to Face-Off:Kalamazoo Wings vs Toledo Walleye - Kalamazoo Wings
- Blain Returns to K-Wings Lineup Tonight - Kalamazoo Wings
- Game Preview - Ontario Reign vs. Utah Grizzlies - Ontario Reign
- Nailers at Royals Game Day Snap Shot - Wheeling Nailers
- Top Scorers Connor and Kellen Jones Recalled to Oklahoma City - Bakersfield Condors
- Solar Bears Present All-Star Classic Update to Orlando City Council - Orlando Solar Bears
- Cyclones Acquire Branden Gracel from Stingrays - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Stingrays Receive Rights of Defenseman Andrew Blazek from Cincinnati; Add Forward John Mitchell - South Carolina Stingrays
- Game Day Capsule: Quad City at Wichita - Wichita Thunder
- Thunder Begin Three-In-Three with Colorado - Stockton Thunder
- Game Preview: Tulsa Oilers vs. Brampton Beast - Tonight at 7:35 PM - Tulsa Oilers
- Cyclones Partner with Cincinnati Police Department for Annual Teddy Bear Toss - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Goaltender Mike Lee Assigned to the Gladiators - Atlanta Gladiators
- ECHL Today - December 12 - ECHL
- Reign Rally But Fall to Condors in Shootout 3-2 - Ontario Reign
- Condors Move into First Place with 3-2 Win over Ontario - Bakersfield Condors
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.
