Nailers Edge Monarchs to Climb into 7th Place
April 2, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV- There is still work to be done, but the Wheeling Nailers can breathe a little bit easier after their game on Saturday night. Wheeling had a terrific start, scoring twice in the first period, giving the defense and goaltending a chance to battle hard to earn a good result the rest of the way. Riley Brace and John McCarron were the goal scorers, while Franky Palazzese made 29 saves, as the Nailers edged the Manchester Monarchs, 2-1, claiming sole possession of seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
The Nailers came out with lots of emotion, and grabbed a 2-0 lead in the opening stanza. The first goal was scored in quick fashion, as the home squad needed just 2:47 to get on the board. Mathew Maione stepped in with a shot that sailed wide on the right side of the net. However, the rebound kicked out to Riley Brace, who slammed it into the open part of the cage. With 6:54 remaining, Wheeling netted its second of the stanza. John McCarron got a feed from Cody Wydo, and skated his way into the slot, where he sniped a shot off of the crossbar and into the goal.
Midway through the second period, the Monarchs collected their first goal of the evening, to pull within one. The line of Joe Diamond, Maxim Kitsyn, and Matt Fornataro led a rush through neutral ice, and when the trio reached the offensive zone, Kitsyn fed Fornataro, who found an opening on the right side of the cage.
The Nailers tightened the ship defensively for the remainder of the contest, including a third period which saw just three shots on goal by the Monarchs. Neither team found the back of the net in the final stanza, giving the home team the 2-1 decision.
Franky Palazzese became the second goaltender in team history to win 20 games in two separate seasons, as he denied 29 of the 30 shots he faced for Wheeling. Colin Stevens took the loss for Manchester, despite making 27 saves on 29 shots.
The Nailers will travel to Toledo on Sunday at 5:15, where they will face the Walleye. Wheeling will then return home on Friday for the regular season home finale, which is Main Street Bank Fan Appreciation Night. One lucky fan will get the chance to shoot to win a car from Whiteside, plus it's a Flat Screen Friday Presented by the Highlands and Bordas & Bordas, a Frosty Friday, and Blades for Grades. The Nailers also invite their fans to attend the Team Awards and Playoff Rally at Undo's in Elm Grove on Wednesday at 7:00.
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