Nailers Battle Hard But Fall Late 2-1
Published on April 17, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling, WV - The Wheeling Nailers battled hard and carried a 1-0 lead into the 3rd period but the Cincinnati Cyclones rallied late for a dramatic 2-1 victory in Game 5 of the Kelly Cup Playoffs Friday night in Wheeling. The Cyclones took the lead in the series for the first time 3 games to 2.
Wheeling now needs to win back to back in games 6 and 7 of the playoffs Saturday and Monday nights at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati. Both games are scheduled to start at 7:30.
In an intense and physical game indicative of the excitement of playoff hockey the Nailers and Cyclones battled back and forth with no scoring well into the 2nd period. Curtis Darling and Loic Lacasse for Wheeling and Cincinnati were both solid and occasionally spectacular in their respective nets.
Wheeling would break the scoreless duel at 15:11 on the power play. Tommy Goebel's cross from the left-wing corner found Chris Snavely cutting into the right circle to slam home the one-timer for the 1-0 lead. Andrew Lord won the faceoff in the zone and got the other assist on the goal. Wheeling held the 1-0 lead after two period and carried it well into the 3rd.
Cincinnati came back in the 3rd period when Mike Quesnele stole it on the right-wing board and centered the puck to deflect it in off either the skate of Mac Faulkner or that of a Wheeling defenseman. The goal was credited to Quesnele as the officials apparently thought his shot went in off the Wheeling player but others weren't sure and thought otherwise. Either way, it brought the Cyclones back into the game at a 1-1 tie at 9:14 of the 3rd.
Both teams had great opportunities through the 3rd period. Closing down to 2 minutes to go in the game the Cyclones got buzzing and kept the Nailers defenders pinned in their own zone and unable to get a change. An errant Cincinnati pass coasted all the way back to their own side finally allowing Wheeling to hustle to the bench. But Cyclone goalie Lois Lacasse came all the way up to pick up the puck and fire it to the far wall where Matt Syrocznyski was awaiting to try to catch the Nailers on the change. He fired a perfect pass to Cyclone captain Barrett Eghotz cutting in who put a move around Darling to stuff in the backhander past his left skate for the game-winner at 19:15 of the 3rd.
Wheeling pulled Darling for the extra attacker in the closing moments and got a couple shots on Lacasse and a couple of physical scrambles between the circles but the Nailers were unable to light the lamp for the equalizer.
It was a game in which the Nailers clearly gave their all and put forth a complete effort. Tommy Goebel was particularly strong not only with his assist on the lone Nailers goal but also with several nice hits on the Cyclones which is all the more impressive when one considers he is likely the smallest player for either side.
Darling carried a shutout almost to the midway point of the 3rd period and played a terrific game between the pipes in the losing cause. Most agreed there was very little he could have done to stop either goal the Cyclones scored in their 3rd period comeback.
The Nailers will now turn their attentions to game 6 and try to even up the series and try to get it to a toss-up situation in a game 7.
Season tickets are on sale now for the 2009-10 campaign. Reserve your season ticket for as low as $50. There are some great incentives to reserve your season ticket ahead of time. If you pay for your season ticket in full by May 1 the Nailers will give you free parking in the back lot for the season. Those who deposit $100 by May 1 will have the $18 arena fee waived.
For more information contact the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL (that's 234-4625) or log on at wheelingnailers.com.
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