Nailers Celebrate a Win in Front of Third Largest Crowd
March 12, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers welcomed their third largest crowd of the season to WesBanco Arena on Saturday night, as 4,546 fans poured their way into Downtown Wheeling. The monstrous crowd was rewarded, as the Nailers stormed out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, and never looked back, taking down the Kalamazoo Wings, 4-2. Cody Wydo lit the lamp twice in the victorious effort, as Wheeling has earned five of six possible points at home this week.
The Nailers got the large crowd excited early, by coming out flying with one of their best periods of the season. Wheeling matched a season-high with 22 shots on goal - two of which found the back of the net. On the first tally, Brett Stern got the puck deep in the offensive zone for Derek Army behind the net. Army wrapped the puck around on the left side of the cage, ultimately connecting with Cody Wydo, who slammed in a shot from the right side of the crease. The second marker started with Clark Seymour's looping pass through center ice. It created a race between Riley Brace and Joel Martin. The Kalamazoo netminder booted Brace's chance away, but the rebound went right to Chris Ciotti, who slid a backhander into the vacant goal frame.
The visitors pulled within a goal during the early stages of the middle frame. Curtis Valk skated the puck in on the right side of the offensive zone, before cutting to the middle, and depositing a shot into the top-right corner of the net. The Nailers had an answer, and it came at the 9:52 mark. John McCarron chipped the puck up the right wall to Anton Zlobin, who hooked up with Connor Leen, who was charging down the left side of the ice. Thanks to Brian Foster, Wheeling maintained its two-goal lead into the intermission, as he denied a breakaway and a penalty shot - both by Justin Taylor.
The Nailers added to their lead with an insurance goal at the 4:35 mark of the third period. Paul Cianfrini threaded a pass through a set of legs, springing Cody Wydo on a shorthanded breakaway. Wydo kept it simple, wristing a shot through Martin's legs for his second of the night and 20th of the year. Sacha Guimond closed the gap to two with 6:48 left, when he converted on a one-timer from the middle of the blueline, but that's where the margin stayed, as the home team won, 4-2.
Brian Foster made key saves when he had to, getting the win for Wheeling with 18 stops on 20 attempts. Joel Martin took the loss for Kalamazoo, making 39 saves on 43 shots, including 20 in the first period.
The Nailers will conclude their homestand on Sunday afternoon at 4:05 against the Norfolk Admirals. McDonald's presents $5 kids tickets on the Family Funday, which also features a post game skate with the team, Mascot Mania, and Pups 'N Pucks (bring your dog to the game).
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