Nailers Get a Point in off the Rails Finish
March 26, 2022 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV- Saturday night's game between the Wheeling Nailers and Indy Fuel at WesBanco Arena had more twists and turns than a roller coaster. Both teams had a lead during the final five minutes of regulation, which included a goal each way during the final minute, as overtime was necessary to determine a winner. Unfortunately, a too many men on the ice penalty cost the Nailers, as they came up short, 5-4. Seamus Malone scored the tying and winning goals for Indy, while Patrick Watling posted a four-point night for Wheeling.
The game got off to a slow start, as the two sides combined for just 11 shots on goal in the first period, which ended in a 0-0 draw. The offenses started to come together in the middle frame, as visiting Indy put the first marker on the board. Christopher Cameron gathered in the puck at the right point, and took advantage of traffic in the slot, as he slammed a slap shot in along the ice. The Nailers pulled even 2:57 later. Sam Houde forced a turnover at the defensive blueline, which led to a 2-on-1 rush for Patrick Watling and Matt Alfaro. Watling delivered a perfect pass through the slot, which was drilled home by Alfaro on the one-timer. With 3:14 remaining in the stanza, the Fuel went back on top. Spencer Watson drove in a slap shot from the top of the right circle during Indy's first power play of the night.
The third period was wild. It started somewhat calmly, as Wheeling tied things up on a man advantage at the 3:12 mark. Josh Maniscalco dribbled a pass to Patrick Watling, who lifted a shot into the top-left corner, with goaltender Tom Aubrun stuck on his stick side post. The goal was originally disallowed, but reviewed and overturned. The Nailers had a chance to take a late lead with a two-man advantage, but the first penalized player to exit the box was Jared Thomas, who took a breakaway pass from Bryan Lemos, and shoveled a wrist shot into the top-right corner. Wheeling rebounded to tie the tilt with 2:31 left. Justin Almeida dropped a pass off to Adam Smith, who stepped up and blazed in a wrist shot from the left circle. With 30.1 seconds remaining, the Nailers took their first lead of the night. The puck bounced to Jared Cockrell in the slot, who turned and chipped a shot into the top-left corner of the net. Indy didn't go away quietly, and with just over 12 seconds to go, Seamus Malone had his shot bounce its way into the cage for a 4-4 score at the end of regulation.
Early in overtime, Wheeling got unlucky, as the home squad was whistled for too many men on the ice. That gave the Fuel a 4-on-3 man advantage, and they cashed in. Seamus Malone rifled in a one-time feed from Jared Thomas in the right circle to give Indy the 5-4 victory.
Tom Aubrun got the win for the Fuel, as he stopped 28 of the 32 shots he faced. Louis-Philip Guindon received the overtime defeat, as he made 25 saves on 30 shots.
The Nailers will play their next two games in Fort Wayne on Sunday at 5:00 and Wednesday at 7:30. Wheeling will then play two home games next weekend. Friday, April 1st is a Frosty Friday at 7:10 against the Indy Fuel, then Sunday April 3rd against the Fort Wayne Komets at 4:10 features a post game skate. A couple of notable upcoming promotions include April 9th, when the Kelly Cup comes to WesBanco Arena, and April 15th, which is Fan Appreciation Night. Season memberships, single game tickets, and partial packages are available, and fans can get more information by calling (304) 234-GOAL. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley.
ECHL Stories from March 26, 2022
- Thunder Loses Season-Finale vs. Idaho - Wichita Thunder
- Gladiators Downed in Rapid City - Atlanta Gladiators
- Oilers Fall to Grizzlies in Goaltender Duel - Tulsa Oilers
- Admirals Steal Two Wins vs. Royals at Home - Reading Royals
- Iowa Doubled up Saturday vs. Cincinnati, 4-2 - Iowa Heartlanders
- Cyclones Bounce Back with Win over Iowa - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Fuel Wheel Past Nailers for 5-4 Win Saturday Night - Indy Fuel
- Three-Goal Third Period Lifts Blades to Victory - Florida Everblades
- Hawkins Completes Hat Trick with Overtime Game-Winner as Walleye Defeat Americans, 6-5 - Toledo Walleye
- Nailers Get a Point in off the Rails Finish - Wheeling Nailers
- Americans Suffer Overtime Loss - Allen Americans
- Anthony Repaci Scores OT Winner, as Railers Defeat Adirondack 3-2 - Worcester Railers HC
- Sweet Revenge in South Carolina - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Stingrays Drop Saturday Night Matchup with Lions - South Carolina Stingrays
- Mariners Get Wild Win on Wild Blueberry Night - Maine Mariners
- Admirals Score with 13 Seconds Left, Sweep Reading - Norfolk Admirals
- Grizzlies Gameday: Series Finale vs Tulsa - Utah Grizzlies
- ECHL Transactions - March 26 - ECHL
- Game Notes: vs Atlanta - Rapid City Rush
- Royals Host Admirals in Series Finale on Autism Acceptance Night - Reading Royals
- Wichita Closes Season-Series Tonight vs. Idaho - Wichita Thunder
- Gladiators Tangle with Rush Again Tonight out West - Atlanta Gladiators
- Garreffa Logs Four Points in Debut Win over Grizzlies - Tulsa Oilers
- Parik to AHL Ontario, Rush Activate Helgesen, Add Arvanitis - Rapid City Rush
- Game Two of Three Between the Lions and Stingrays Tonight - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Game Day Preview: Americans at Toledo, 6:15 PM - Allen Americans
- Tulsa Oilers Take a Big Victory over Utah Grizzlies Last Night - Tulsa Oilers
- Everblades Gunning for Win in Road Trip Finale - Florida Everblades
- Nazarian Scores Twice to as Icemen Edge 'Blades 3-2 - Jacksonville Icemen
- Valentini Scores a Pair as Admirals Edge out Royals - Reading Royals
- Oilers Defeat Grizz in Wild 6-5 Game - Utah Grizzlies
- Late Overtime Tally Leads Steelheads to 3-2 Win over Wichita - Idaho Steelheads
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
