ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers hang tough but fall 3-1 in Cincy

Published on February 19, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Cincinnati, OH - The Wheeling Nailers battled tooth and nail with the hottest team in the North Division carrying a 1-1 tie deep into the 3rd period but the Cincinnati Cyclones broke the deadlock with 2:33 remaining and tacked on an empty-netter to prevail 3-1 Friday Night at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, OH.

Casey Pierro-Zabotel returned to the lineup for the Nailers for the first time in over a month and scored his 10th of the year for the lone Wheeling tally of the night.

Adam Berkhoel played a terrific game between the pipes for Wheeling turning away 27 of 29 shots he faced including several spectacular saves. But Ryan Del Monte picked up a rebound between the circles to break the long deadlock late in the 3rd.

Wheeling stayed in 8th place in the American Conference standings and thus remain in possession of the last playoff spot with 18 games remaining as the teams immediately trailing them by 1 and 2 points, the Gwinnett Gladiators and Reading Royals, also lost.

The game also featured the return of Billy Ryan in his first game back with the Wheeling Nailers since last season. Ryan was recovering from off-season surgery and will likely take a little time to get accustomed to some of his new teammates.

Jon D'Aversa also had his first game back with the Nailers after a stretch with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and the defensemen blasted several big shots from the blue-line that were steered away by Cincinnati goalie Robert Meyer or missed just wide.

Cincinnati opened the scoring in the 1st period when Mark Voakes found Jimmy Kilpatrick streaking up the middle for a breakaway opportunity. Kilpatrick moved the puck to his forehand and slid it home passed the reach of Berkhoel's stick at 8:24 of the 1st to give the Cyclones the initial 1-0 lead.

The Nailers battled back in the 2nd period as Casey Pierro-Zabotel caught the puck and smartly knocked it back to Jon D'Aversa who head-manned for Thomas Beauregard then giving for Pierro-Zabotel cutting in from the right-wing dot. The Ashcroft, BC native was able to backhand the shot to the far post past Meyer for his 10th of the year 8:00 into the 2nd period tying the game at 1-1.

The Nailers had an early 3rd period power play and several good chances including a handful of quality blasts by D'Aversa but they were unable to push one past Meyer.

Cincinnati took control a bit more later in the 3rd but were held at bay by Berkhoel. But after winning the puck along the boards Cincinnati captain Barrett Eghotz carried it out to the right dot and shot one off Berkhoel that was picked up by the former Johnstown Chief Del Monte on the top of the crease to fire home the game-winner with just 2:33 remaining.

Former Wheeling Nailers defenseman Brock Sheahan launched one all the way down ice from about 190 feet away at the base of the circle in his own zone to take on an empty net goal with 42.3 seconds to go to seal the 3-1 victory.

With the additions of Billy Ryan, Casey Pierro-Zabotel and Jon D'Aversa as well as the return of Cliff Loya from a minor injury last weekend, Wheeling had some extra bodies. Scratches for the game included Dan Henningson, Kevin Schmidt, Ryan Schnell, Blair Yaworski and Colin Power.

The loss drops the Nailers record to 26-24-4 for 56 points remaining in 8th place in the American Conference. The Cyclones strengthen their lead on the North Division improving to 8-0-1 in their last 9 and 35-17-2 overall. Wheeling is 3-6-0 against the Cyclones this year and have two more games at Cincinnati on this seven game road trip including a rematch Saturday night at 7:30.

Wheeling will then wrap up their 3-in-3 weekend with a Sunday encounter at the Trenton Devils at 4:00pm and then return to Cincinnati again on Wednesday night.

Wheeling's next home games are March 5th through 7th on a 3-in-3 weekend including a WTRF Friday Family Four Pack night on March 5th and an O.V. McBear Bobblehead giveaway night on Saturday, March 6th and finishing with a Sunday Family FunDay and post-game open skate on March 7th with the Nailers as part of every Sunday home game.

Call the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL or toll-free at 1-877-NAIL-TIX. Get your tickets online at the team's website at wheelingnailers.com.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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ECHL Stories from February 19, 2010


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