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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Claw Back, But Fall 4-3 in Toledo

January 16, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


TOLEDO, OH - In a trend that is becoming all too familiar as of late, the Wheeling Nailers were in the game until the end, but came away empty-handed. On Saturday night, the Nailers fell behind the Toledo Walleye, 4-1, before tallying a pair of goals to cut the deficit to one. Unfortunately, that's the way the tilt ended, with the Walleye winning, 4-3 at Huntington Center. John McCarron, Anton Zlobin, and Connor Leen were the Wheeling goal scorers.

The Walleye had a strong first period on the offensive end, lighting the lamp three times to Wheeling's one. Toledo's first tally came at the 6:44 mark, when Ralfs Freibergs took the puck at the top of the right circle into the high slot, ripping a shot into the top-right corner of the cage. The Nailers answered 1:18 later, with strong work in the low slot. John McCarron ended up spinning and firing in the goal, drawing assists from Jarrett Burton and Anton Zlobin, as Zlobin extended his point streak to seven games. The Walleye regained the lead with 5:03 remaining, as Michael Leone accepted a feed from Dajon Mingo, faked to his backhand, and lifted a shot under the crossbar. Josh Shalla added to the advantage 2:36 after that, when he finished off a passing play with Scott Czarnowczan and Tyler Maxwell, which began with a Wheeling turnover.

Toledo tacked on another goal at the 9:52 mark of the second period, as the result of a giveaway in the defensive zone. Shane Berschbach stole the puck in the right corner, before hooking up with Evan Rankin, who fed Tyler Sikura for the marker from the left side of the slot. With less than one minute to go in the stanza, the Nailers converted on a power play for the third game in a row. Anton Zlobin took a wrist shot from high in the offensive zone, beating Tom McCollum over the right shoulder.

Wheeling pulled to within a goal with 6:27 to go in the third. Patrick McGrath threw a hit on Jared Nightingale behind the cage, freeing up the puck for Tim Hall. Hall immediately spotted Connor Leen darting into the slot, and Leen connected on the pass, punching a shot in along the ice. The Nailers had a chance to tie the game with 4-on-4 play in the final 28 seconds of action, but were unable to create the equalizer, as they fell, 4-3.

Tom McCollum was the winning goaltender for Toledo, as he made 25 saves on 28 shots. Casey DeSmith suffered the loss for Wheeling, despite stopping 30 of the 34 shots he faced.

The Nailers will conclude their quick road swing at Indy on Sunday at 3:05, before returning to WesBanco Arena for three games on January 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. The 22nd is a Flat Screen Friday presented by The Highlands and Bordas & Bordas, in addition to a Frosty Friday, and the first 2,000 fans will receive a hat, courtesy of Main Street Bank. The 23rd is Pittsburgh Pirates Night with an appearance by Francisco Cervelli, and the 24th is a Family Funday with McDonald's $5 kids tickets and a post game skate with the team.

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