Jackals Hand Nailers First Loss
Published on October 20, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
ELMIRA, NY - The Wheeling Nailers will have to settle for two points on opening weekend after being beaten by the Elmira Jackals 4-2 on Friday night. The Jackals peppered goaltender Martin Houle with 41 shots, including 21 in the first period alone, in front of a sellout crowd of 3,925 at First Arena.
It was the first game for the Jackals as a member of the ECHL after spending their previous seven seasons in the UHL.
It took only 5:07 for Elmira to jump out to a lead on a Benoit Doucet goal. Just seconds after Pierre-Luc Faubert finished serving his minor for interference, Frank Littlejohn sprung him on a two-on-one. Faubert's pass across created an opening in between the legs of Houle which Doucet found for the first goal of the game.
Elmira added to their lead at 8:52 of the first. Houle stopped three separate rebound shots before Scott May was able to slide one through from the slot.
The Nailers got on the board with Ned Havern's second powerplay goal in as many nights just 2:17 later. Mike Vannelli's pass enabled Havern to take the puck in on a two-on-one with Kevin Croxton. As Havern's pass moved towards Croxton it tipped off a defender in the slot and past Joel Martin for the goal.
Despite being outshot 21-6 in the first period, Wheeling only trailed 2-1. Thomas Kudelka padded the Jackal's lead with a slapshot goal at 2:35 of the second.
Thirty-five minutes of scoreless hockey followed before Sean Collins setup Croxton for his second goal of the season, cutting Elmira's lead to one with just 1:55 to play.
Scott May's empty net tally secured the win for the Jackals with 57 seconds remaining in the game.
Wheeling scored on just one of their nine powerplay chances while the Jackals capitalized on one of just four.
The Nailers take on the South Carolina Stingrays, Friday night at WesBanco Arena in their home opener. The first 2,000 fans will receive magnet schedules for the 2007-08 season. Call 304-234-GOAL for more information or to place your ticket order.
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