ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Five-Goal Second Period Gets Wings Flying

December 27, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Kalamazoo Wings Stop the Wheeling Nailers
Kalamazoo Wings Stop the Wheeling Nailers
(Wheeling Nailers)

WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers played a strong period on Sunday afternoon against the Kalamazoo Wings, but it was the second period that left them with a terrible taste. Kalamazoo scored five times in the middle frame, including three goals in a span of 1:31, as the Wings built a 6-1 lead, en route to a 7-4 win at WesBanco Arena. Cody Wydo and Riley Brace each tallied twice for Wheeling.

One goal was scored during the opening frame of action, and it went to the visiting Wings. 13 seconds after Kalamazoo had killed off a Nailers man advantage, the momentum was turned into an offensive chance. Justin Kovacs forced a turnover in the Wheeling defensive end, setting up Tanner Sorenson, who roofed a shot into the top-right corner of the cage.

The middle stanza was one that the Nailers would like to put behind them as quickly as possible. The trouble started with a shorthanded goal at the 2:35 mark, as Alex Mallet finished off a 2-on-1 rush with Eric Kattelus. Wheeling pulled within a goal 1:17 later, when Cody Wydo stole a puck on the left side of the slot, blitzing a slap shot past Joel Martin. Unfortunately, things soured from there, as the Wings collected three goals in 91 seconds, first on a netmouth scramble by Lane Scheidl, second when Justin Taylor potted the rebound of Scheidl's breakaway, which was stopped, and third, as Sorenson netted his second on the right side of the offensive zone. Adam Phillips tacked on another tally with 2:27 to go, as Kalamazoo ended up with five in the period for a 6-1 lead.

The Nailers were a different team in the third period, as they controlled the play, scoring three times, while outshooting their guests, 12-3. Riley Brace got credit for the first marker, thanks to some help from Taylor, who batted the rebound of Brace's initial try in behind his netminder. Wydo's second of the day cut the deficit to three, as he waltzed into the slot, lifting a shot over Martin's right shoulder. Brace snagged his second goal of the period with 1:38 remaining, before an empty netter by Dane Fox made for the 7-4 final score in favor of the Wings.

Joel Martin picked up the win for Kalamazoo, making 35 saves on 39 shots in his 27th appearance of the year. Franky Palazzese suffered the loss for Wheeling, surrendering six goals on 24 shots.

The Nailers will continue their seven-game homestand on Thursday with a special 6:05 game against the Brampton Beast on New Year's Eve. The first 2,500 fans will receive cowbells, courtesy of OVMC & EORH. Saturday night, Wheeling and Brampton will collide again for a 7:35 match on Throwback Night. All tickets will be $7 for that game, and the Nailers will wear Wheeling Thunderbirds jerseys. Another highlighted game on the homestand is Princesses & Pirates Night on January 9th, which also features a Winter Cheer Scarf Giveaway by WesBanco Bank.

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Kalamazoo Wings Stop the Wheeling Nailers
Kalamazoo Wings Stop the Wheeling Nailers
   



ECHL Stories from December 27, 2015


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