Nailers Beat League's Top Team 3-2
Published on January 24, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
North Charleston, SC - Andrew Lord, Aaron Clarke and Blair Yaworski all lit the lamp as the Wheeling Nailers defeated the ECHL's top team 3-2 at South Carolina Sunday evening.
Michael-Lee Teslak picked up the win for the Nailers in his 6th consecutive start making 17 saves on 19 shots including three dazzling stops on solid Stingrays chances. A couple of the saves he made appeared to be sure goals if not for the diving acrobatics of Teslak. On one save he even fooled the goal-judge who lit the lamp on a drive in front of an open-net by Jake Hauswirth anticipating that Teslak would not be able to dive partly backwards and get the edge of his glove on the shot to deflect it away.
Wheeling improves to 22-18-3 with the win while the Stingrays fall to 30-10-6 with the loss. The Nailers closed to within 4 points of North Division leading Cincinnati with the victory and evened their record on their road-trip at 1-1-0. The Stingrays not only have the league's best record but are also the defending ECHL champions.
But the Stingrays were hampered by injuries as well as call-ups to the AHL and only had 13 skaters available for the game, three shy of the league standard 16. With only 8 forwards and 5 defensemen the Nailers were able to get the early jump on them. Wheeling was also able to take advantage of their fresher legs from their day off on Saturday while the Stingrays were playing their 3rd game in three days.
The game was the opener of a four game series between the Nailers and Stingrays with the two teams squaring off again Tuesday night and then taking the series to Wheeling Saturday and Sunday.
Andrew Lord opened the scoring on a nice forehand to backhand move following a good assist from Colin Power to give the Nailers a 1-0 lead. Lord registered his 6th of the year with the tally and scored his first since December 27th.
South Carolina would come back to tie the game 36 seconds later. Then the Nailers would re-take the lead later in the first as Aaron Clarke fired a wrister from the high slot catching Stingrays goalie Van Buskirk leaning the wrong way to give Wheeling a 2-1 lead. T.J. Fox assisted on the goal which began on a blocked shot by Kyle Bushee who was also credited with an assist.
Tied at 2-2 early in the 2nd period Cliff Loya would center to Jordan Fox on the top of the crease who smartly fed it across to Blair Yaworski on the right-wing side of the crease to chip home what proved to be the game-winner. It was Yaworski's 9th of the season.
Jordan Fox just missed on an outstanding opportunity to extend the lead later in the 3rd period when he blasted one off the post.
Other notes: The Nailers again skated with 9 forwards and 7 defensemen. But Kevin Schmidt got some time as a forward for the first time this year with three different shifts as a winger.
Ryan Schnell took a hard check from South Carolina's Trent Campbell and was momentarily stunned before eventually shaking it off and returning to action.
The Nailers conclude their road trip Tuesday at 7 again at South Carolina. The four game series between the Nailers and the league's top team continues next weekend when the Stingrays visit Wheeling on Saturday and Sunday.
The Nailers return to Wheeling for back to back home games on Saturday and Sunday January 30th and 31st to host the South Carolina Stingrays. Saturday, is Doug Sauter Bobblehead Night for the first 2,500 fans courtesy of WesBanco and Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame Night. Doug Sauter and Nick Bedway will be inducted in pre-game ceremonies featuring the unveiling of their Hall of Fame banners. Sauter is the first and all-time winningest head coach in Wheeling hockey history. Nick Bedway was a long-time beat-writer covering the team and introducing the Ohio Valley to pro hockey. They will be joining the inaugural class including all-time Wheeling leading scorer Darren Schwartz and WAHA founder Bob Otten.
Sunday is a KoSports Ice of Dreams Night and will feature an open-skate with the Nailers players after the game. Don't forget to bring your skates, gloves, and camera!
Nailers hockey is always the most awesome family entertainment value in town and we want you there cheering on your hometown team. Kids tickets are always $5 and students get in for only $7. Call the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL
There are still openings available for the Nailers inaugural Education Field Trip Day on Tuesday, February 9th. Tickets are free for all students and teachers when the Nailers play the Johnstown Chiefs at 11:00am. All the kids will be receiving an educational book and will quizzed on the material they learn at the game when they return to the classroom. It's going to be a really fun time for the kids so get your school signed up for the special event with the Nailers by calling 304-234-GOAL.
ECHL Stories from January 24, 2010
- Steelheads Beat Vegas, 8-5 - Idaho Steelheads
- Wranglers Can't Stop Steelheads, 8-5 - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Thunder nine-game unbeaten streak at home ends - Stockton Thunder
- Bakersfield Thumps Thunder, 5-2 - Bakersfield Condors
- K-Wings Are Back On Top - Kalamazoo Wings
- Stingrays Run Out Of Gas; Fall 3-2 To Nailers - South Carolina Stingrays
- Nailers Beat League's Top Team 3-2 - Wheeling Nailers
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Zaba Makes Rangers Debut - Charlotte Checkers
- Stockton Thunder Prepare For Sunday Meeting With Bakersfield - Stockton Thunder
- Trio Of Checkers Called Up - Charlotte Checkers
- Kalamazoo Loans Forward Trent Daavettila to the Adirondack - Kalamazoo Wings
- Countdown To Face-Off: Wing's Versus Walleye - Kalamazoo Wings
- Nailers Begin Four Game Series With League's Top Team - Wheeling Nailers
- Dog Days Of Winter Today Against Nailers - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Thunder Roll Above .500 Mark - Stockton Thunder
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