Nailers Come up Short in Kalamazoo
March 6, 2020 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
KALAMAZOO, MI- The Wheeling Nailers played one of their better games of the road trip on Friday night, but ran out of gas in their third game in three days, as they were facing the Kalamazoo Wings, who had Thursday off. Aaron Thow scored on the power play at the 13:23 mark of the second period, giving Kalamazoo a lead it didn't relinquish, as the Wings prevailed 4-2 at Wings Event Center.
Both teams lit the lamp once during the openeing frame. Kalamazoo was first on the board at the one-minute mark. Ben Wilson tossed a shot toward the pile from the right point, which was tipped into the left side of the cage by Brennan Sanford. The Nailers responded with 6:58 remaining. Brandon Hawkins swiped the puck off the end wall and into the right side of the slot, where Alec Butcher chipped a one-timer into the left side of the net.
The Wings pulled ahead on a couple of occasions in the second period. Spencer Naas let a wrist shot go from the high slot for a 2-1 lead, before Wheeling answered with an equalizer. Renars Krastenbergs wired a one-timer off the crossbar, which produced a rebound finisher by Cam Brown from the left circle. Kalamazoo went back on top with one second left on a man advantage, when Aaron Thow's shot from the top of the right circle ramped off a stick and into the top-right corner of the goal.
The Nailers got a power play in the closing minutes, but Kyle Blaney's shorthanded empty netter sealed the 4-2 win for the Wings.
Jake Hildebrand was the winning goaltender for Kalamazoo, as he made 29 saves on 31 shots. Alex D'Orio stopped 35 of the 38 shots he faced for Wheeling, but suffered the defeat.
The Nailers will return home on Tuesday for Education Day at 10:45 a.m. against the Reading Royals. Next week will feature a total of four home contests, highlighted by St. Hat Tricks Day on Saturday, March 14th at 7:05. St. Hat Tricks Day will feature specialty jerseys, as well as a hat giveaway to the first 2,000 fans, and Irish Drink Specials. Friends & Family Ticket Packages are available for all Saturday home games, which include four tickets, four Tito's Sloppy Doggs and a $10 voucher to the team shop for $52. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley. For information on season tickets, group tickets, partial plans, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from March 6, 2020
- Kestner Tallies Game-Winner as Walleye Edge Fuel - Toledo Walleye
- Americans Win Another Overtime Thriller - Allen Americans
- Houser Backstops Cyclones to Playoffs - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Mavs Furious Third Period Comeback Yields Standings Point, But KC Falls 5-4 in Overtime - Kansas City Mavericks
- Heroic Effort - Glads Rally from Deficit to Take Down Orlando - Atlanta Gladiators
- Late Rally Helps 'Blades Earn Point in Overtime Loss to IceMen - Florida Everblades
- Mingo Strikes in Overtime to Lift IceMen to 3-2 Win over Everblades - Jacksonville Icemen
- Goal Parade Leads to Walleye Win on Friday Night - Indy Fuel
- Mariners Stifled by McCollum in Home Loss to Royals - Maine Mariners
- K-Wings Leapfrog Nailers with 4-2 Win - Kalamazoo Wings
- McCollum's Game-Saving Denial Clinches 2-1 Win at Maine - Reading Royals
- Nailers Come up Short in Kalamazoo - Wheeling Nailers
- Growlers Clinch a Playoff Spot, Take down the Thunder 5-2 - Newfoundland Growlers
- Salhany Records 50th Point in 5-2 Loss to Growlers - Adirondack Thunder
- Rush Sign Joe Rutkowski - Rapid City Rush
- Starrett Returns; Thunder Signs D Clarke - Wichita Thunder
- ECHL Transactions - March 6 - ECHL
- Grizzlies Preview: Utah at Rapid City. March 6, 2020 - Utah Grizzlies
- Game Preview: Everblades at IceMen, March 6, 2020 - Jacksonville Icemen
- Grizz Acquire Christian Horn in a Trade - Utah Grizzlies
- Game Notes: vs. Utah - Rapid City Rush
- Defiel Named Victoria's Garden Rush Player of the Month - Rapid City Rush
- Battle of the Badges Set for 12:30 p.m. Sunday - Reading Royals
- Game Preview: Everblades at IceMen, March 6, 2020 - Jacksonville Icemen
- Defenseman Ryan Johnston Recalled by AHL San Diego Gulls - Idaho Steelheads
- Americans Open the Weekend in Kansas City - Allen Americans
- Sheppard Assigned to 'Blades from AHL's Checkers - Florida Everblades
- Royals on the Road for Two Before Sunday Home Game - Reading Royals
- Ferris State Defenseman Kallen Signs in Maine - Maine Mariners
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.