Late Goal by Defenseman David Mead Lifts Wild to 1-0 Win over Ice Dogs
April 26, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release
WENATCHEE, Wash. - Perhaps he was taking a bit of acalculated risk, but after 57 minutes and 49 seconds of scoreless hockeyWenatchee Wild defenseman David Mead(Conklin, N.Y.) was willing to make a wager. The result was a jackpot for Mead,who lifted the Wild to a 1-0 win over the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in Game 1 of theNAHL West Division finals Friday at the Town Toyota Center.
Mead scored the game-winner with 2:11 remaining inregulation when he fled his defensive position and knocked in a loose puck fromthe inside bottom edge of the near faceoff circle after a Fairbanks goalieSteve Perry made a pair of saves from close range.
"Normally he doesn't hang out down by the goal crease,"Wenatchee Wild head coach Bliss Littler said of Mead. "I'm not really sure whathe was doing down there, but I'm glad he was there."
Wild goaltender RobertNichols (Dallas, Texas) did the rest, denying all 18 of the Ice Dogs'shots. Nichols made several key stops in Game 1, including a breakaway savewith his right pad on Garret Clemment early in the second period. Nichols alsothwarted another potential breakaway later in the second period when he cameout of his crease into the slot to halt the opportunity before it had a chanceto develop.
"He gave us a chance," Littler said of Nichols. "Robbie wasour best player tonight."
Nichols also had help in front of him from a defense thatcame up with 13.
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