ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers battle hard in 2-1 setback

Published on November 6, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling, WV - The Wheeling Nailers battled hard but fell to the South Carolina Stingrays 2-1 Friday night at WesBanco Arena against the South Carolina Stingrays. There were many positives and close-calls even though the Nailers ended up on the losing side.

South Carolina got on the board early with a goal by Gregg Johnson who found himself all along in front of Jordan Parise and was able to slide the puck past the goalie's left-skate 1:13 into the game. South Carolina would hold the 1-0 lead for the next 55 minutes of the game as both Parise and Todd Ford made several fine saves to keep the offenses at bay.

After a scoreless 2nd period and a lot of back and forth action and good chances through much of a scoreless 3rd period, Nikita Kasirsky was able to slam the puck home past Parise late in the 3rd giving the Stingrays a 2-0 lead.

Kashirsky had initially found himself in the clear on a breakaway but Alex Grant hustled in from behind and dove to break up the rush. But the puck found its way onto the stick of Jake Hauswirth who found Kashirsky on the left-wing side of the crease for a valuable insurance goal at 17:32 of the 3rd.

The Nailers pulled Parise with 2 minutes left in the 3rd period and the Stingrays took a penalty giving the Nailers a 6 on 4 man advantage. Wheeling capitalized on the opportunity to make it a one goal game again.

On a mad scramble Jordan Fox was able to shove the puck home to put the Nailers on the board after almost 59 frustrating minutes of hockey. It was his 1st goal as a Nailer and Joey Hadadd and Blair Yaworski picked up assists on the play giving the Nailers a new life with only 1:04 left in the 3rd period.

Fox led the Gwinnett Gladiators in goals last year with 29 but had been missing action with the Nailers since opening night October 16th at South Carolina. This was just his second game of the season and first since returning from his injury.

Wheeling had a couple more shots with the extra attacker in the closing minute but were unable to light the lamp again as they 2-1.

The Nailers are still seeking their first home win of the year but got a much more consistent effort and also won a lot of battles along the walls which Greg Puhalski had been preaching to his team of recent. Wheeling outshot the Stingrays 28-22 for the first time this season in which they've won that category. The wild and exciting 3rd period featured the Nailers outshooting the Stingrays 14-10.

Wheeling was 1-for-6 on the power play while South Carolina was 0-for-4.

Wheeling is 0-2 against South Carolina this year with 4 more matchups scheduled between the two teams in January including two more at WesBanco Arena.

The Nailers homestand continues Saturday, November 7 with Wheeling hosting the rival Johnstown Chiefs. Saturday is Team Poster giveaway for the first 2500 fans and Team Autograph night in the WesBanco Club after the game. The Nailers return to the ice next weekend for back to back games against Johnstown. Friday they are at Johnstown and return home Saturday to complete the 3 game series. Call the Nailers for tickets at 304-234-GOAL (4625).

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ECHL Stories from November 6, 2009


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