ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Morrison Scores Game-Winner With 1:46 Left For 5-4 Win at Johnstown

Published on December 20, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


The Nailers scored two goals in the last 4 minutes of the game for an exciting 5-4 win on the road at the Johnstown Chiefs Saturday night.

Trailing 4-3 but putting pressure on Chiefs goalie Kris Mayotte, the Nailers were able to tie the game at 16:11 as Rob Sirianni roofed a rebound from inside the right dot after Bryan Ewing's initial blast was turned away.

The Nailers went on the power-play with 1:55 remaining when Andrew Lord was interfered with by Greg Gallagher and took only 9 seconds on the man advantage to capitalize and win the game. Jordan Morrison got the game-winner from right out in front on a centering feed by Rob Sirianni who received the pass from Bryan Ewing.

Sirianni and Morrison both had 2 goals on the night for the Nailers including their exciting goals in the 3rd.

The road victory avenges the previous night's 7-3 Nailers loss at home to these same Chiefs. Wheeling closes to within 2 points of the Johnstown Chiefs again as the two teams split their home-and-home series. The Nailers are 16-4-5 for 37 points while the Chiefs fall to 19-8-1 for 39 points. The Nailers still have 3 games in hand on the Chiefs.

The Nailers raced out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st period including goals 18 seconds apart by Sirianni and Morrison 3:54 and 4:12. Matt Grennier added another at 7:51 tipping in the slap shot from the blue-line by Elgin Reid.

Wheeling led 3-0 after 1 period but the 2nd period belonged to Johnstown as they stormed back for 4 unanswered goals to take a 4-3 lead. Peter Pohl and Blair Yaworski scored 12 seconds apart in the opening minute at 0:43 and 0:55 to close the gap to 3-2. Randy Rowe tied the game at 9:53. Former Nailer Sean Berkstresser put the Chiefs up front with a low shot to the far post past Darling's left skate at 18:34.

Curtis Darling denied Andy Contois on a clear breakaway 5:35 into the 3rd right as Contois came out of the penalty box to keep the Nailers within one. Darling also had to stop a rebound that deflected back at him off one of his own teammates. He denied Contois again at about the 10 minute mark on another mini-breakaway to set the stage for the Nailers comeback in the closing minutes.

Wheeling is 2-2-1 against the Chiefs this year and the home team has yet to win this season in the rivalry series. Wheeling returns to Johnstown on January 23rd. The Chiefs do not come back to WesBanco until March 6th.

The Nailers will wrap up their 3-in-3 weekend with another Sunday evening home game vs. the Trenton Devils at 6:05 featuring another post-game skate after the game with the Nailers players and Santa for fans who bring their skates and gloves. All fans who wear Pittsburgh Steelers colors get a $2 admission discount. It's your last chance to see the Nailers before the holiday break. The Trenton Devils have gotten better in a hurry as some of their players have gotten healthy. Trenton has won 4 straight and has gone 7-2-2 in their last 11 games in climbing out of the North Division cellar.

Friday, December 26 is Christmas Card Poster Giveaway night for the first 2500 fans courtest o Smitty Floors and McDonald's when the Nailers take on the Reading Royals at 7:35.

Saturday, December 27th is Moon Dog Bobblehead night. The first 5000 fans receive a Moon Dog Bobblehead courtesy of Perkins, Generations, Convenient Food Mart and Jackson Hewitt. $1 from every adult ticket sold will be donated to the Coats for Kids program.

The Nailers have a pair of great holiday packages. Package 1 for $50 includes 4 game vouchers good for any night, an autographed stick blade all in a game-worn decorative hockey sock for $50. Package 2 includes 2 tickets for Moon Dog night on December 27, a guaranteed Moon Dog Bobblehead doll at the game, a Christmas ornament and in a decorative hockey sock for $30.

Wheeling Nailers Baby Blue jerseys from opening night are on sale now via an Ebay auction. Bid on the jerseys the players wore in the first game of the year at wheelingnailers.com and Ebay. The auctions on all the jerseys will close around 10 a.m. Monday so get your bids in now!

For more information contact the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL or log on at wheelingnailers.com.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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ECHL Stories from December 20, 2008


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