Nailers Comeback Falls Just Short
Published on December 16, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV - The Wheeling Nailers scored twice in the final 2:35 of regulation to force overtime but the Dayton Bombers earned the extra point with a 6-5 shootout win Sunday evening at WesBanco Arena. Kevin Croxton scored twice while Ned Havern, Aaron Clarke, Chris Snavely, and David Laliberte each registered multi-point games for the Nailers.
Wheeling jumped on the board first when Jon Foster found Ned Havern on the backdoor at 6:57 of the first period. David Lalilberte also earned his ninth assist of the season, and first of the night, on the play.
The Bombers responded with a pair of goals before the end of the first. At 11:30, Chanse Fitzpatrick connected with Grant Goeckner-Zoeller for his second goal of the season. Goeckner-Zoeller was allowed to walk into the slot and dropped it in over Martin Houle's shoulder. The Bombers then took their first lead at 12:37 with a short handed goal from Bobby Chaumont. With Peter Flache in the box for interference, Matt Beaudoin stripped the puck and slid the puck to Chaumont on a two-on-one.
The Nailers' equalizer came a mere 3:17 into the second period with Aaron Boogaard's fourth of the year. Jon D'Aversa's shot from the point hit a body in front of the goal and allowed Boogaard to slide the puck past Rejean Beauchemin for the goal.
The tie game was brief as the Bombers took a 3-2 advantage just 2:55 later. With Dayton on the power play, Bobby Chaumont scored his second goal of the night, assisted by Mike Berry and Goeckner-Zoeller.
With Wheeling trailing by one entering the third, the Nailers climbed back into a tie at 7:09. Croxton walked the puck out of the corner, straight to the top of the crease and forced the backhand past Beauchemin.
Dayton quickly found the answer in a familiar place. Just 1:58 later, Chaumont complete the hat trick on a shorthanded breakaway at 9:07 of the third period. The Bombers looked in complete control after Dayton's Masahito Nishiwaki slid one through legs of Martin Houle, giving the Bombers a 5-3 lead ith 7:56 remaining in regulation.
With the clock winding down, the Nailers made it interesting at 17:25. Clarke's backhand feed found Croxton in the slot who deposited it in the net for his second of the game.
Sean Collins complete the comeback with a wrist shot set up by Havern and Laliberte just 24 seconds later and with only 2:11 left in regulation.
Through a scoreless overtime and a scoreless first seven shooters for each team in the shootout, Chris Eade finally beat Houle to put the pressure squarely on Wheeling. Beauchemin stuffed D'Aversa to earn the win for Dayton.
The Nailers return to action on Wednesday to take on the Cincinnati Cyclones at US Bank Arena for a 7:30pm start. Their next home game is on Friday against the Elmira Jackals at 7:35pm. The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive Pittsburgh Penguins collectors cups. The Nailers will also be holding a food drive to benefit the soup kitchens of the greater Wheeling area. Anyone who brings a non-perishable food item to the game will receive $2 off the ticket price. Call 304-234-GOAL for more information or visit www.wheelingnailers.com.
ECHL Stories from December 16, 2007
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