ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Edged By Bombers

February 27, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, W.Va. - Les Reaney scored a pair of goals and the Nailers came up short in a 4-2 loss to the Dayton Bombers on Friday night at WesBanco Arena.

The Nailers successfully killed three penalties in the first period. Dayton, however, drew first blood at the 4:58 mark of the second period when Les Reaney scored an unassisted goal. Wheeling bounced right back when Billy Ryan scored his second goal as a Nailer on a power play slap shot from the blue line at the 6:19 mark. Dayton took a 2-1 lead into the third period when Ryan Smyth scored his 13th goal of the season on assists from Justin Chwedoruk and Joe Van Culin.

The Bombers extended their lead to two goals at the 8:05 mark of the third frame when Les Reaney notched his second goal of the game. Andrew Fournier and Labenski were credited with the assists on Reaney's second tally. But the Nailers refused to go away, and veteran Kelly Miller made it a 3-2 contest moments after Reaney scored on a perfectly placed wrist shot from just inside the far faceoff circle. Bryan Ewing and Ryan were credited with the assists on Miller's goal, which came on the glove side of Dayton goaltender Paul Drew.

The Nailers couldn't get the equalizer down the stretch, and Fournier tacked on the empty-net goal with 43 second remaining in the contest.

The Nailers remain in fifth place in the North Division in spite of the loss.

The Bombers outshot the Nailers 37-30. Ryan gave the Nailers the lone power play goal of the contest.

The Nailers have two more games remaining in this weekend's home stand. They have back-to-back games tomorrow and Sunday against the Trenton Devils. The first 2,500 fans in attendance at Saturday's game, which begins at 8:05 p.m., will receive a Coal Miner Spike bobble head. Sunday's game, with a 4:05 p.m. faceoff time, is Sunday Family Funday. Fans will have the opportunity to skate with the Nailers after Sunday's game. Fans must provide their own skates and gloves to skate. Call 304-234-GOAL or log on to wheelingnailers.com to order tickets.

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ECHL Stories from February 27, 2009


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