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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Ganzak Scores Late Game-Winner

March 21, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling, WV - Mitch Ganzak scored a power play goal with 6:10 remaining in the game breaking a 2-2 tie as the Nailers went on to defeat the Toledo Walleye 5-2 Sunday evening at WesBanco Arena. The win helps keep the Nailers' playoff hopes alive with four games remaining in the regular season and delighted the crowd of Wheeling fans as well as the dogs in attendance on the annual Pups and Pucks promotion.

Ganzak (8) was joined in the scoring column by Jordan Morrison (10), Jon D' Aversa (4), Kale Kerbashian (2) and T.J. Fox (25)

With 7:00 left in regulation, Toledo took a bench minor for having too many men on the ice, giving the Nailers a golden opportunity to break the tie. Mitch Ganzak rose to the occasion corralling up a rebound and stuffing it home from the left side of a scrambling Alec Richards. Casey Pierro-Zabotel had three different shot attempts on the power play on gives by Aaron Clarke. His third try came out to T.J. Fox whose shot bounced to Ganzak on the left-wing side for the sharp-angle tally. It was Ganzak's 8th of the season.

Ganzak is in his 2nd year with the Nailers out of Miami (Ohio) University. The Nailers representative in the ECHL All-Star Game this year is 2nd in the league in points by a defensemen and 1st in assists.

Two battles went down in the first period between the Wheeling Nailers and Toledo Walleye Sunday afternoon. First was in the form of goalies Adam Berkhoel and Alec Richards, who both made solid saves to hold their opponents at bay and keep each team scoreless. The other was in the form of Nailers forward Ryan Schnell dropping the gloves with Mark Nebus making him the leader among active rookies in penalty minutes, 156 and major penalties, 16.

The action was fast paced in the second as both teams scored a pair of goals. The Nailers took a 1-0 lead 5:25 into the second when Kale Kerbashian picked up the puck in the Nailers end and fed it up ice to Jordan Morrison. Morrison fired it in over the shoulder of Alec Richards for his first goal since being traded back to Wheeling and 10th of the season. Jon D'Aversa was awarded with an assist.

Nearly 2:00 later, the Walleye tied it up 1-1 when Akim Aliu redirected a shot from center-point and rolled it five hole past Nailer goalie Adam Berkhoel.

Later in the period, Tony Romano circled around the corner and back out to the front to give the Walleye a 2-1 advantage with 4:27 left in the period.

Jon D'Aversa tied the game up late in the period 2-2, when he blasted a shot from just inside the blue line with only 0:16 remaining for his 4th of the season. It was Wheeling's first power play goal of the afternoon and Mitch Ganzak along with Aaron Clarke connected with D'Aversa for the assists.

The late 2nd period tally provided the Nailers with the momentum into the intermission and they outshot Toledo 16-6 in the 3rd period en route to eventually getting Mitch Ganzak's game-winner with 6:10 remaining.

Two late empty net goals sealed the Nailers victory. Kale Kerbashian scored the Nailers' first empty net goal followed by T.J. Fox's goal from near the red line, completing Wheeling's 5-2 win. For the 19-year-old Kerbashian it was his 2nd goal in four games since joining the Nailers last week. Kerbashian comes to Wheeling from the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League where he led his Major Juniors squad in scoring with 26 goals and 56 points.

For T.J. Fox it was his 25th goal of the year which places him tops among active Nailers. Fox has scored 19 of those goals since Christmas. The Union College product is in his 3rd season of professional hockey and first with the Nailers.

Scratches for the Nailers included Cleve Kinley, Billy Ryan, Colin Power and Aaron Boogaard.

Wheeling improves to 4-1-0 against Toledo on the season with the 6th and last matchup of the North Division rivals slated for Saturday night at Toledo. Wheeling finished their recent stretch of 4 games in 5 days with a record of 2-2-0.

The win improves the Nailers record to 31-31-6 for a total of 68 points, leaving Wheeling only 3 points out of the final playoff spot in the American Conference currently held by the 8th place Reading Royals. Wheeling is also only 4 points back of 7th place Toledo.

The Nailers outshot the Walleye 45-26 for their third highest shots on goal total of the year. Wheeling went 2-for-4 on the power play while limiting Toledo to just 0-for-1.

Billy Higgins was recognized in the 3rd period over the P.A. system for his 500th game as the Wheeling Nailers equipment manager. Higgins is also believed to be the all-time leader in ECHL history in games serving as an Emergency Backup Goalie with roughly 80+ games.

The Nailers are back at home Friday March 26th as they take on the Toledo Walleye before they travel to Toledo on Saturday. Friday is Team Poster Giveaway Night for the first 2500 fans and Team Autograph Night after the game with the entire Nailers team appearing.

Upcoming Promotions!

Friday, April 2nd is Nailers Baby Blue Ball-Cap Giveaway for the first 2500 fans courtesy of Main Street Bank.

Saturday, April 3rd is Fan Appreciation Night and Ticket Extravaganza. Lots of gifts and prizes on the last game of the regular season.

Season ticket down-payments of only $50 are on sale now at the Wheeling Nailers office. Join the Nailers community by being part of our Season Ticket Family. New season ticket holders and renewals accepted. Season ticket details to be announced soon.

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

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