Game Four Comeback Win Goes to South Carolina, 4-2
May 20, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV- The first four games have seen both teams win games they probably felt like they deserved, while also falling in games where they probably thought they should have gotten a different result. On Friday night, it was the latter for the Wheeling Nailers. Wheeling led 2-1 with nine minutes remaining, but saw the South Carolina Stingrays rally back with three goals for a 4-2 victory, as they tied the Eastern Conference Final Series, 2-2.
The two squads played to a scoreless draw in the first period, with both teams firing five pucks on net. The tie was briefly broken at the 4:57 mark of the second period, when South Carolina struck for the opening goal for the fourth time in the series. Austin Fyten led Caleb Herbert, who burst down the right side of center ice, before picking the top-left corner of the net with a wrist shot. Wheeling answered that tally 1:02 later. Ty Loney kept a play alive in the offensive zone, handing off the puck for Clark Seymour, who curled in on the left side. Seymour flicked a puck to the middle, where it was poked into the net by Riley Brace for the equalizer.
The third period had a promising start for the Nailers, who took their first lead of the night at the 48-second mark. Brace took a Mathew Maione pass, and got some help from Ty Loney to bust through the defense. Loney dragged the puck into the right circle, where he slid a shot through Vitek Vanecek's legs. With less than nine minutes left, the contest turned in a sour direction. Wheeling turned the puck over to Marcus Perrier, who walked down broadway and potted the tying tally at 11:57. A little more than three minutes later, the Stingrays regained the lead. Kelly Zajac connected with Brett Cameron, who lifted a shot into the right side of the cage while his club had the man advantage. David Pacan added an shorthanded empty net marker off of another turnover with 1:17, making the final score 4-2 for the visitors.
Vitek Vanecek needed just 17 saves on 19 shots in the winning effort for South Carolina. Franky Palazzese turned away 21 of the 24 shots he faced for Wheeling, but suffered the defeat.
The Nailers and Stingrays will play game five of the Eastern Conference Final on Saturday at 7:35. The evening begins with a tailgate at 5:00, and fans will receive rally towels upon entry to the arena.
ECHL Stories from May 20, 2016
- Game Four Comeback Win Goes to South Carolina, 4-2 - Wheeling Nailers
- Stingrays Tie Series with Three Goals in Third Period in Game 4 Win - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Transactions - May 20 - ECHL
- Thunder Welcome Malcolm Cameron as Head Coach - Wichita Thunder
- Forward Dylan Margonari Joins Stingrays - South Carolina Stingrays
- Community Spotlight: Carnivals - Rapid City Rush
- 2015-16 in the Community - Adirondack Thunder
- Colorado, Toledo Receive 2015-16 ECHL Best Ice Award - Colorado Eagles
- Toledo Walleye Receive ECHL Best Ice Award - Toledo Walleye
- Toledo, Colorado Receive 2015-16 ECHL Best Ice Award - ECHL
- Nailers vs. Stingrays Game Day Snap Shot - Wheeling Nailers
- Eastern Conference Finals: Game 4 Preview- South Carolina at Wheeling, 7:35 p.m. - South Carolina Stingrays
- 'Fifteen for Fifteen' - Fifteen Thoughts on the Reading Royals Fifteenth Anniversary - Reading Royals
- ECHL Today - May 20 - ECHL
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.
