Nailers Edge Closer to Playoff Berth
March 25, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV - Wheeling and Elmira both came out battling on both ends, but the Jackals connected on four of their five shots in the shootout, to hand the Nailers a 3-2 loss, in front of 2,852 fans at WesBanco Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The Nailers started the game with an early power play, on a Corey Cowick hooking penalty at the 35-second mark of the period, but the Jackals killed the early advantage. Elmira had their first chance on the power play, on a Cam Fergus goaltender interference penalty at the 5:44 mark of the period, but the Nailers killed it to keep the score even at zero. The game remained scoreless, until Chris Barton deflected in Adam Ross' shot from the middle of the blueline. Zack Torquato also picked up an assist on Barton's 28th goal of the season, which gave the Nailers a 1-0 lead. The Nailers went on the power play for the second time in the first period, as Corey Cowick went to the box for the second time, on a two-minute high sticking penalty at the 16:49 mark of the period, but the Jackals killed the penalty, keeping the score at 1-0 Nailers.
The Nailers went on the power play on a Dustin Gazley slashing penalty at the 5:35 mark of the second period, but the Jackals killed it off. At the 13-minute mark of the period, Peter Child received a pass from Cam Fergus and Matt Schepke at the top of the left face-off circle, and shot it into the top-right corner of the goal, for his second goal of the season, and a 2-0 lead for the Nailers. The Jackals went on the power play for the second time, on a Christiaan Minella kneeing penalty at the 13:55 mark, and Corey Cowick took advantage. Less than a minute later, Cowick took a pass from Jimmy Martin and Rob Bellamy between the circles, and shot it past Nick Niedert for his eighth goal of the season, making the score 2-1 Nailers.
The two teams continued to battle hard, as the third period began, when an early four-on-four occurred, as Zach Hansen went to the box for high sticking, and Jarrett Rush went for roughing, following an incident behind the Elmira goaltender at the 2:17 mark. The Jackals went on the power play on a Ben Farrer tripping penalty at the 7:51 mark, and less than a minute later, the Jackals tied the game on Artern Demkov's 19th goal of the season, assisted by Dustin Gazley and Mike Radja. A centering pass deflected off the Nailers' defensemen, and just past the skate of Niedert to tie the game at two. The teams battled the rest of the period, each coming close to scoring in the last five minutes.
In the overtime, each team had opportunities to end the game, but neither could capitalize, sending the game to a shootout. In the shootout, Artem Demkov and Mike Radja connected on the first two attempts for the Jackals, while Cody Chupp's attempt hit the crossbar, and Zach Hansen scored into the top-right corner of the goal for the Nailers. After each goaltender made a save in the next round, Jordan Pietrus and Andrew Hotham both scored, before Campanale scored to pick up the victory for the Jackals.
Brian Stewart picked up the win for the Jackals, stopping 40 of 42 shots, while Nick Niedert took the loss for the Nailers, stopping 31 of 33 shots.
The Nailers Travel to Reading Wednesday night at 7:05, and Trenton Friday night at 7:00, before returning to
WesBanco Arena to take on Elmira Saturday night at 7:35. 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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