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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Erase Two-Goal Deficit to Take Series Lead

April 22, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, WV- Seeing two-goal leads evaporate is a relative rarity over the course of a season, but on Wednesday night, it happened twice. The Wheeling Nailers took a 2-0 lead, only to see the Toledo Walleye score the next four goals, taking a 4-2 advantage. However, a late second period goal sparked Wheeling, who came from behind for a 5-4 triumph at WesBanco Arena, as the Nailers claimed a 2-1 lead in the North Division Semi-Final Series.

The Nailers were excited to get to the home portion of the series, and it showed early on, as they struck twice, before the game was six minutes old. The first tally came shorthanded, as Jarrett Burton swiped the puck away from a Toledo player, springing Riley Brace on a breakaway. Brace got behind the defense, skating in alone, before beating Jeff Lerg over the blocker. 2:23 later, Brace struck again. Zack Torquato's shot from the left wall deflected off of Brace, hopping into the net for a 2-0 lead. Adam Krause also picked up an assist on the second marker.

As pleasant as the first period was, the second period went the opposite direction. Toledo started its powerful push 1:56 into the middle frame, when Shane Berschbach drilled in a one-timer off of a pass behind the net by Tyler Barnes. Shortly before the halfway mark of the period, the visitors pulled even, as Cody Lampl's right point wrist shot found its way through traffic and into the back of the cage. A little less than three minutes later, the Walleye took the lead, when AJ Jenks converted on a one-time feed from Kyle Bonis, while playing on the man advantage. Justin Mercier made it four straight goals the other way at 16:02, roofing a drop pass from Bonis. The Nailers pulled back within a goal in the final minute of the stanza, when David Makowski stepped up with a shot from the right circle, beating Lerg under the left arm.

The late tally gave the home team some positive emotion going into the third period, and at the 6:30 mark, the game became deadlocked. Derek Army won a battle for a loose puck on the left side of the goal, before setting up Sahir Gill, whose wrist shot from the slot slipped through Lerg's legs. With 10:37 to go in regulation, the Nailers regained the lead. Mike Ratchuk's right circle shot was stopped, leading to a mad scramble in the crease. David Gilbert jammed away at the rebound with his backhand, eventually forcing the puck in over the line. Toledo put 20 shots on goal in the third period, but Wheeling held on tight, shutting the door in a 5-4 final score.

Franky Palazzese thwarted 35 of the 39 shots he faced in the start for Wheeling, before leaving in the third period with an injury. Eric Hartzell stopped all 13 shots he faced in relief, earning the win. Jeff Lerg took the loss for Toledo, allowing five goals on 24 shots.

The Nailers will play two more home games during their opening round playoff series against Toledo. McDonald's Friends & Family Tickets will be available for games four and five on April 24th and 25th, giving fans the opportunity to receive four tickets, four hats, and four McDonald's Value Meal coupons for $39.99. April 24th will also be a Frosty Friday .

Wheeling Nailers 2015-16 season tickets, as well as flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets for 2014-15 are on sale now. For more information, call 304-234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com.

Listen to all Nailers regular season and post-season games live on the Valley's rock station EAGLE 107.5 FM, on www.iheartradio.com or watch live on www.echl.tv. Catch every road game live on WLUTV on Comcast Cable 14.

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