ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Come Back to Earn Important Point

February 10, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, WV - The Nailers outshot the Walleye 44-18, and six different Nailers tallied points in Wheeling's 3-2 shootout loss to Toledo Friday night.

It didn't take long for tempers to flare, as Ryan Schnell and Riley Emmerson dropped the gloves off the face-off, just over two minutes into the first period. Gleason Fournier was called for slashing a minute and a half later, but the Nailers were unable to convert with the man advantage. Toledo struck first, just after their successful penalty kill, when Joey Martin deked his way through the Nailers' defense to sneak the puck behind Patrick Killeen. Assists were awarded to Mike Thomas and Kyle Rogers. Kyle Bushee headed to the penalty box for slashing, and Toledo quickly took a two-goal lead, 21 seconds into the power play. It was David Gilbert's slap shot from the right circle that beat Killeen, with help from Bryan Rufenach and Joey Ryan. The Nailers seemed to have an opportunity at the end of the period with a flurry around the net, but the buzzer sounded to the end the period.

The second period started off slowly, despite a great chance for Zack Torquato from the slot. Olivier Dame-Malka and Kyle Page had the second fight of the night. The two teams exchanged power play opportunities, but Dame-Malka cut the lead in half, and earned himself two-thirds of a Gordie Howe hat trick. Dame-Malka flew into the Walleye zone on a breakaway, and sent a slap shot five-hole on Alec Richards. Andrew Hotham picked up his 23rd point on the goal, and Peter Merth also picked up a helper. Matt Schepke, the newest member of the Nailers, nearly tied the game for Wheeling, but Peter Lenes succeeded. Lenes stormed the net to put the rebound of Torquato's shot behind Richards. Schnell tallied the second assist.

Wheeling went almost directly to the penalty kill to start third. Jordon Southorn was called for delay of game at 35 seconds, to the outrage of the crowd. Manderson had a near chance shorthanded, but was thwarted by Toledo. David Toews, younger brother of Jonathan, fired a shot at Killeen, that Gilbert tried to redirect, but Killeen covered before Toledo could pull ahead. Cody Chupp put the puck past Richards, but the goal was immediately waved off for being kicked in, before Phil Rauch was sent off for slashing. The Walleye killed the penalty, before a power play of their own, when Peter Merth took the Nailers third delay of game penalty of the night. Being shorthanded nearly paid off for Wheeling, when Manderson went one-on-one against Richards on a breakaway, but Richards made a strong save to keep his team afloat. The Nailers had some great chances in the last minutes, but they were not enough.

For the second Friday in a row, Wheeling headed to overtime. Chupp and Harrison Reed started the extra period in the box, giving the two teams plenty of ice with two minutes of 3-on-3 play. The penalties expired with three minutes to go, but Southorn was called for holding. Toledo held possession in the Nailers' end for most of the penalty, but Manderson cleared the puck to break up the momentum. Chris Barton had a huge chance on a breakaway, as Southorn left the box, but the puck ended up just wide of the net.

Despite making several fantastic saves during regulation and overtime, Killeen was unable to stop Toledo in the shootout. Gilbert and Martin both scored for the Walleye, while Richards stopped all four Wheeling shooters.

The Nailers play at home Saturday night at 7:35 against the Trenton Titans, before heading to Johnstown's Cambria County War Memorial Sunday for a 4:05 faceoff against the Reading Royals. For ticket information or to purchase tickets call 304-234-GOAL (4625) or online at shop.wheelingnailers.com. You can now purchase Nailers game tickets on your smartphone by visiting m.wheelingnailers.com.

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ECHL Stories from February 10, 2012


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