Goalie Duel Goes to Fort Wayne, 2-1
April 15, 2022 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers will have to wait until the final day of the regular season to find out who they will face in the opening round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Wheeling got a strong goaltending performance from Louis-Philip Guindon, but was only able to solve Samuel Harvey once, as the Fort Wayne Komets picked up a 2-1 win at WesBanco Arena. Sam Houde was the lone goal scorer for the Nailers.
The two teams played to a scoreless first period, before the visiting Komets opened things up with a pair of goals in the final six minutes of the middle frame. Wheeling came up with a few shot blocks on the sequence, but Zach Tolkinen ultimately broke through for Fort Wayne, as he let a wrist shot go from the bottom of the right circle, which flew into the top-right corner of the net. The Nailers came close to netting an equalizer on a two-man advantage, but after the first penalty expired, the Komets turned the tables with a shorthanded strike. Mark Rassell forced the turnover in neutral ice and took the first shot attempt, before Oliver Cooper followed up his teammate to deposit the rebound.
Wheeling closed to within a goal at the 5:32 mark of the third period. Matt Foley worked the puck around the offensive zone to Sam Houde, who lifted in a wrist shot from the top of the left circle to extend his point streak to 11 games. Despite a power play with 6:23 left and some time with the goaltender pulled, the Nailers were unable to pot an equalizer, as Fort Wayne held on for the 2-1 win.
Samuel Harvey earned the victory in goal for the Komets, as he turned aside 25 of the 26 shots he faced. Louis-Philip Guindon gave the Nailers another solid performance, but ended up on the short end of the decision, after making 26 saves on 28 shots.
The Nailers will close out the 2021-22 regular season on Saturday night in Fort Wayne at 7:30. Wheeling has clinched a spot in the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs, and will have home games on Wednesday, April 27th, Friday, April 29th, and Saturday, April 30th (if necessary), with all three matches starting at 7:10. The Nailers want you to join #NailersArmy and get your playoff tickets now by visiting wheelingnailers.com or by calling (304) 234-GOAL. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley.
ECHL Stories from April 15, 2022
- Rush Edged by Oilers, 1-0 - Rapid City Rush
- Oilers Clinch Playoff Spot with Shutout Victory - Tulsa Oilers
- Steelheads Just Edged by Grizzlies, 4-3 - Idaho Steelheads
- Cyclones Clinch Playoff Spot - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Thunder Falls in Final Road Game of Season in KC - Wichita Thunder
- Lions Clinch Third-Place in the North Division - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- K-Wings Sellout Willis Jersey Retirement, Fall to Walleye in Regulation - Kalamazoo Wings
- Iowa Scores Twice in Third But Allen Wins It in OT, 3-2 - Iowa Heartlanders
- Railers Struggle to Score in 5-0 Defeat to Trois-Rivières - Worcester Railers HC
- Fuel Come Back to Defeat Cincinnati in a Shootout - Indy Fuel
- Admirals Surge Past Stingrays, Win 4-2 - Norfolk Admirals
- Stingrays Fall in Season Finale - South Carolina Stingrays
- Christopoulos Shuts out Wings, Walleye Reach 100 Points - Toledo Walleye
- Gladiators Gain Crucial Point in 3-2 Overtime Loss - Atlanta Gladiators
- Goalie Duel Goes to Fort Wayne, 2-1 - Wheeling Nailers
- Solar Bears Dealt Blow to Playoff Hopes in 3-1 Loss to Swamp Rabbits - Orlando Solar Bears
- Santos' Overtime Winner Puts Mariners in Control of Own Destiny - Maine Mariners
- Gennaro Scores Twice in 3-2 Overtime Triumph - Florida Everblades
- Growlers Bested 2-1 in OT by Mariners - Newfoundland Growlers
- ECHL Transactions - April 15 - ECHL
- Grizzlies Gameday: Next to Last Regular Season Game - Utah Grizzlies
- Newfoundland's O'Brien Receives 2021-22 ECHL Sportsmanship Award - ECHL
- Game Preview: Solar Bears at Greenville Swamp Rabbits: April 15, 2022 - Orlando Solar Bears
- Game Notes: vs Tulsa - Rapid City Rush
- Trevin Kozlowski Wins ECHL Community Service Award - Iowa Heartlanders
- Glads Hit Road with Eyes on Division Title - Atlanta Gladiators
- Thunder Plays Final Road Game Tonight at Kansas City - Wichita Thunder
- Morning Tea: Swamp Rabbits vs Solar Bears - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Iowa's Kozlowski Receives 2021-22 ECHL Community Service Award - ECHL
- Game Day: Must Win Series Continues Tonight in Allen - Allen Americans
- Royals Clash with Thunder in Final Road Game of the Regular Season - Reading Royals
- Lions Hope to Clinch Playoff Spot Tonight - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Everblades to Host Gladiators for South Division Showdown - Florida Everblades
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.
