ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers fall 5-4 at Bombers

Published on January 10, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


The two newest Wheeling Nailers, Kelly Sullivan and Ben Geelan, both lit the lamp in just their 2nd game with the team but it wasn't enough as the Dayton Bombers came from behind to defeat the Wheeling Nailers 5-4 at the Nutter Center.

Incredibly, it's the first time this season the Nailers have lost back to back games in regulation. Of Wheeling's 8 regulation losses this year, half of them have come to hands of the Dayton Bombers. Wheeling is 4-4-0 against Dayton on the year.

Bryan "Boomer" Ewing scored his team leading 21st goal of the year early in the 2nd period to give the Nailers a 3-1 lead and things were looking good for Wheeling. But the high-flying Bombers offense got goals at the tail-end of the 2nd and early in the 3rd to tie it at 3-3.

Andrew Lord got the lead back for the Nailers on a power play goal from between the circles at 3:47 on a nice assist moving in along the goal-line from Jon Grecu. But Wheeling couldn't hold onto the 4-3 lead.

Ryan Smith tied it for the Bombers jamming it in past Curtis Darling at 6:30 to tie the score at 4-4.

Brock Wilson fired a long outlet to Tomas Zaborsky waiting on the Nailers line behind their defense and Zaborsky was able to convert on the breakaway at 13:09 to give the Bombers their first lead of the night at 5-4. Goalie Curtis Darling appeared to get a piece of the shot but it trickled in behind him and just did make it into the cage for the game-winning goal.

Wheeling had several good chances in the closing moments of the game including a 6-on-4 power play and pulled-goalie extra-attacker effort but Bombers goalie Paul Drew was able to steer away the Nailers efforts and Dayton escaped with the win.

Wheeling goalie David Brown left midway through the 2nd with an apparent injury to his right leg after making saves on 21 of 22 shots. Details were unknown. He was replaced by Curtis Darling who took the decision.

Three of Dayton's 5 goals came on the power play as they went 3 for 7 to Wheeling's 1 for 5 man-advantage.

Wheeling is 4-4-0 against Dayton this year. Dayton's record against the Nailers stands at 4-2-2.

Wheeling falls to a mark of 22-8-5 overall with 4 of their 8 regulation losses having come against this Dayton team. The Nailers remain 3 points ahead of 2nd place Johnstown atop the North Division standings as the Chiefs lost at Elmira 5-3. 3rd place Dayton closed the gap with the 2-game weekend sweep of the Nailers and now trails the front-runners by only 5 points.

Sunday, January 11th the Nailers return home against the Cincinnati Cyclones will begin at 1:05 (a change from the originally announced start-time of 4:05). It's Sunday Family FunDay with a post-game skate with the Nailers after the game. Fans must bring their own skates and gloves to participate. It's also Guaranteed Win Day: If the Nailers and Steelers both win on Sunday then everyone in attendance will receive free admission to a future Nailers game

Wheeling will be at Cincinnati next Wednesday and at Reading next Friday but will come back to WesBanco on Saturday, January 17th for one final matchup with the Cyclones at 7:35. That Saturday game is Knit Ski Cap giveaway night for the first 1000 kids 14 and under courtesy of WesBanco.

For more information contact the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL (that's 234-4625) or log on at wheelingnailers.com.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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ECHL Stories from January 10, 2009


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