Nailers Celebrate Easter With Win
Published on March 23, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
JOHNSTOWN, PA - Special teams were on full display at the Cambria County War Memorial Sunday night as the Wheeling Nailers and Johnstown Chiefs combined for six power-play goals in a 6-5 win for the Nailers. Kevin Croxton, Sean Collins, Aaron Clarke and BJ Radovich all earned two points for Wheeling, who never trailed in the game.
The first period featured 16 minutes in penalties, eight against each team, and one against the Chiefs in the opening minute. Wheeling used the advantage to take a 1-0 lead just 1:31 into the game. Collins and Jon Krall worked the puck to Clarke along the goal line. As he tried to center the puck it deflected off a defender's shin pad and past Andrew Penner.
Just 17 seconds after the goal, the Nailers went back on the power play. They upped their advantage to two men 21 seconds after that when Codey Burki was called for a high-sticking double minor. The Nailers capitalized again on a Miller slap shot at 3:23.
The penalties then shifted in the Chiefs favor setting Johnstown up on four consecutive power plays. Burki banged home a rebound at 12:38, only two seconds after a Nailer penalty had expired, accounting for the Chiefs only even-strength goal of the game. Vincent Zaore then tied the game at 2-2 when he snuck one past Curtis Darling at 17:50 of the first on the power play.
Wheeling opened the second period scoring only 21 seconds in on Croxton's 21st of the year. Darling earned an assist as he cleared the puck along the glass to Radovich who slid it to Croxton in the slot.
Croxton increased the Nailers lead back to two at 11:21 with his second of the game. With Johnstown on the power play, Croxton stole the puck away and slid it through Penner's legs on a breakaway. Justin Chwedoruk earned an assist on the play.
The Chiefs refused to back down as Burki added his second of the night, 23 seconds after Croxton's encore. Again on the power play, Burki was on the doorstep for the rebound of an Andrew Martins shot.
Clarke and Matt Byrnes setup Collins for his 12th of the season at 14:08 to revive the two-goal edge, 5-3.
Joey Olson scored a pair of power-play goals to start the third period to tie the game at 5-5. Alex Imbeault and Randy Rowe assisted on each of them at 1:11 and 11:07.
Radovich netted the game winner at 15:34 picking up a loose puck on the blue line and wristing it past the glove of Penner. It was Radovich's sixth of the season.
Wheeling's road swing continues in Dayton on Wednesday at 7:00pm. They return home on Friday for a rematch with the Chiefs at 7:35pm. The Nailers will be hosting West Virginia University Night as Mountaineer alums Major Harris and Mike Logan will be in attendance and signing autographs. Call 304-234-GOAL for more information or visit www.wheelingnailers.com.
ECHL Stories from March 23, 2008
- ECHL Today - ECHL
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- Wranglers Lasso RoadRunners 4-1 - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Sea Wolves Broom Has Broken Handle, Texas Wins 5-1 - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Nailers Celebrate Easter With Win - Wheeling Nailers
- Chiefs Poked By Nailers - Johnstown Chiefs
- Miller Loaned To Milwaukee - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Grizzlies Fall 3-2 In Shootout - Utah Grizzlies
- Fukufuji and the Condors shutout Fresno 3-0 - Bakersfield Condors
- Falcons Blanked by Condors 3-0 - Fresno Falcons
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