Nailers back into first place
March 15, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, W.Va. - In a game that was full of playoff intensity from start to finish, Wheeling defenseman Mitch Ganzak scored the game-winning goal on a wrist shot from the top of the far faceoff circle with 31 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Nailers the win, 2-1.
The win pushed the Nailers into a first place tie with Cincinnati, who defeated Trenton today, 3-2.
Today's win was Wheeling's fourth straight win over Johnstown. Wheeling defeated Johnstown in a high-scoring 8-5 affair Saturday night.
After a scoreless first period, Johnstown finally drew first blood at the 13:35 mark of the second period when Trevor Hendrikx put a slapper past Nailers goaltender David Brown from just inside the far faceoff circle.
Billy Ryan evened the score at 1-1 four minutes into the third frame when he scored on a high slapper. Mitch Ganzak and Kelly Sullivan were credited with the assists on Ryan's goal. The goal extended Ryan's consecutive point streak to six games, a streak in which he has scored four goals and eight assists. Ryan entered Sunday's contest coming off of a career-high five point game Saturday night against Johnstown.
With time winding down in the four-on-four overtime session, Ganzak took a feed from Reid Cashman and wristed the winner by Johnstown goalie Ian Keserich for his seventh goal of the season.
Nailer goaltender Brown made 37 saves while Keserich turned aside 25 shots. Both teams were 0-for-6 on the power play.
The Nailers are off until this weekend's 3-game home stand (March 20-22). The Nailers are teaming up with the American Cancer Society on Relay at the Rink this coming weekend. The Nailers will wear special purple jerseys which will be auctioned off at Saturday night's game. Friday's game against the Dayton Bombers is Buy One Get One Free Night. All tickets, popcorn, hotdogs and pretzels will be buy one get one free.
Saturday's game against the Reading Royals is B.E. Taylor Night. The first 2,500 fans in attendance at Saturday's game will receive a free B.E. Taylor bobble head courtesy of OVMC and WTRF. In addition, Taylor will perform live at WesBanco Arena following the game. Sunday's game against the Reading Royals is Pups and Pucks Day, where fans can bring their dog to the game.
Playoff ticket packages are now on sale. Purchase a 6-game playoff package that can be used throughout the duration of the playoffs and you will receive a discount off of the regular gate price. For more information or to order playoff tickets, call 304-234-GOAL or log on to wheelingnailers.com.
ECHL Stories from March 15, 2009
- Reign Defeated By Salmon Kings, 3-1 - Ontario Reign
- Alaska Completes Four-Game Sweep in Home Finale, 7-1 - Alaska Aces
- Everblades Weekly - Florida Everblades
- Grizzlies Blank Idaho 3-0 - Utah Grizzlies
- Aces Sweep Away RoadRunners With 7-1 Win - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Steelheads Lose To Grizzlies, 3-0 - Idaho Steelheads
- Salmon Kings take finale from Reign - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Nailers back into first place - Wheeling Nailers
- Chiefs dropped in OT by Nailers - Johnstown Chiefs
- Gladiators Beat Everblades 6-3 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Baker sets single-season point record, but Blades fall 6-3 to Gladiators - Florida Everblades
- Reimer's First Professional Shutout Leads Rays Over Checkers 4-0 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Cyclones Rally In Trenton For 3-2 Win, Re-take North Lead - Cincinnati Cyclones
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Devils Fall at Home to Cincinnati, 3-2 - Trenton Devils
- Second period collapse dooms Checkers against Stingrays - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Ontario Reign at Victoria Salmon Kings - Ontario Reign
- Forward Sweetland reassigned to Blades - Florida Everblades
- Wheeling Nailers Game Preview - Wheeling Nailers
- Steelheads Blanked in Las Vegas, 3-0 - Idaho Steelheads
- Stefanishion Propels Aces, 3-2 - Alaska Aces
- Alaska Nips RoadRunners 3-2 In Final Seconds - Phoenix RoadRunners
- 'Brontos' fall to Utah, 4-3 - Bakersfield Condors
- Huge Crowd Witnesses Valiant Effort As Sea Wolves Fall On Late Goal To Florida - Mississippi Sea Wolves
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