Nailers earn point in Puhalski's debut
January 4, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV - Greg Puhalski's debut as head coach of the Wheeling Nailers (9-20-2-2) came up just shy of the storybook ending. The Johnstown Chiefs (12-18-0-1) scored 3:02 into overtime to beat the Nailers 3-2 Friday night at WesBanco Arena.
The Nailers looked energetic early and scored just 4:15 into the first on a power play goal. Kevin Croxton scored his ninth goal of the season by deflecting a Seamus Young wrist shot through the legs of Ryan Nie. Sean Collins also earned his team leading 25th assist of the season on the play.
Chris Snavely scored at 2:29 before the end of the opening period to give Wheeling a two goal advantage. It also occurred on the power play, marking the tenth time this season that the Nailers have scored multiple power-play goals in a game. Joe Jensen and Vadim Slivchenko worked the puck around to Snavely at the point who let a shot go through traffic for his third of the year.
The Chiefs caught a break with a late goal in the first to cut Wheeling's lead to 2-1. Just over a minute after the Nailers had scored, Michael Cohen slid a found Ryan Garlock from behind the net who slid it past Martin Houle.
A scoreless second period left the two teams to battle it out in the final frame. A power play for Johnstown allowed them to tie the game 2-2 at 5:00 with Young in the box. Robbie Drummond handled the puck along the wall and waited for the right moment to snap a shot top-shelf.
Despite Wheeling receiving back-to-back power plays in the final 6:30 of regulation it remained 2-2 and entered overtime.
Randy Rowe scored the game winner with a slap shot past Houle from the top of the circle with 1:58 left in the five-minute sudden death. It is the second time this season that Wheeling has lost in overtime, both times to the Johnstown Chiefs.
The Nailers finished 2-for7 on the power play while the Chiefs scored once on six opportunities. Nie made 28 saves on 30 shots for the win while Houle allowed three goals on 34 shots.
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