Ganzak scores winner in overtime thriller
Published on November 7, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling, WV - Mitch Ganzak stuffed it home 1:31 into overtime for the game-winner and the Wheeling Nailers beat the Johnstown Chiefs 4-3 in front of an excited crowd at WesBanco Arena. It was only a matter of time before the Nailers got a win at home and the Johnstown Chiefs were the recipients of the explosions.
As well as being the first home win of the season for the Nailers it was also their first overtime triumph.
It was the second straight time for Ganzak to score an overtime game-winner against Johnstown dating back to last year when he turned the trick in a March 15th game also at WesBanco Arena. That was the Nailers lone overtime victory last year.
The Miami (Ohio) University product was one of four Wheeling Nailers named to the ECHL all-rookie team last year with 7 goals and 33 assists. The overtime game-winner tonight was his first goal of the season.
The crowd on Nailers Team Poster Night then filed their way downstairs to the club to greet and congratulate the team on Team Autograph Night.
The Nailers were paced by Thomas Beauregard (7), Jordan Fox (2) and Joey Haddad (4) scoring the other goals while Jordan Parise turned in another fine performance in net steering aside 22 of 25 shots.
Wheeling took an early lead when the Nailers intercepted a pass and Thomas Beauregard went one on one, moved into the open slot and fired the puck in glove hand side on Chiefs goalie Kris Mayotte for his team leading 7th goal of the year giving the Nailers a 1-0 lead 5:28 into the first.
The Nailers stretched the lead when Joey Haddad shot from the point and Jordan Fox redirected the puck for Fox's 2nd goal of the season to make it 2-0 late in the 1st period. This was Fox's second goal in his second game back since his return from an injury on opening night at South Carolina on October 16.
The Chiefs made their way back into the game midway through the 2nd as Mike Knight shot through two Nailers defenders from out high that made it past Parise on the glove side making it 2-1 on a power play goal at 9:57.
After time expired in the second period the Nailers lead 2-1 but had several opportunities to take a bigger lead but was unable to capitalize on five power play opportunities.
The third period had back and forth scoring from both teams. Troy Schwab's shot hit off the inside of the near post behind Parise and Jim McKenzie snuck in to stuff it into the net for a power play goal tying the game 2-2.
Thirty seconds later the Nailers answered the Johnstown goal when Jordan Fox and Joey Haddad at converted on a 2 on 1 rush. Fox found Haddad across ice who slammed it home from the left wing for his 4th goal of the season.
A couple minutes after Haddad gave the Nailers a 3-2 lead, Johnstown tied it up for the second time when Connor Shields found himself on top of Parise as Johnstown won it along the end-board. He was able to fire the puck in for back to back power play goals.
A delay of game penalty was called on Pierce Norton which gave Johnstown a chance to take a lead for the first time with 5:15 left in the 3rd but the Chiefs were unable to take take advantage.
In the 4 on 4 overtime Ganzak got the game winning goal when he walked in on the goal line from the right-wing and was able to stuff the puck in through Mayotte. Jordan Fox had the lone assist winning the face-off clean for Ganzak.
Wheeling is 2-1 in games decided past regulation including 1-0 in overtimes and 1-1 in shootouts.
The Nailers return to the ice next weekend for back to back games against Johnstown. Friday they are at Johnstown and return home Saturday at 7:35 to complete the 3 game series. Call the Nailers for tickets at 304-234-GOAL (4625).
ECHL Stories from November 7, 2009
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