Nailers Lose Hard-Fought Contest at Reading 3-1
Published on January 30, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
The Wheeling Nailers offense connected for several good scoring chances but were only able to get into the net just once in a 3-1 loss at the Reading Royals Friday Night at the Sovereign Center in Reading, Penn.
The Nailers wrapped up their 4 game road trip with a 2-2-0 mark. Wheeling's lead atop the North was trimmed to 2 points as the Johnstown Chiefs won their 2nd in a row over the Mississippi SeaWolves. The Nailers fell to 24-13-6 with the setback.
Wheeling is beginning a brutal stretch of 12 out of 15 games on the road with an upcoming 3 game homestand sandwiched in the middle.
Erik Johnson scored the lone Nailers tally on pretty passing from Jordan Morrison and Bryan Ewing early in the 3rd to get the Nailers on the board trailing 2-1. Johnson had 6 goals on the 4 game road trip including 4 lamplighters at Reading. It was Johnson's 12th of the year on a fine feed from the left-wing by Jordan Morrison allowing the cutting Johnson to chip it forward for the goal.
After that the Nailers had generated chance after chance but Reading goalie Michael Ouzas made several fine saves and his defense was there to block shots and bail him out when he couldn't get there.
Wheeling pulled goalie Curtis Darling with 1:15 left and had even more opportunities with the 6-on-5 extra attacker situation but finally the Royals were able to chip it out of there and send it forward for Steve Ward to score the empty-netter with 20 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
Reading scored 2 goals in the first period for a 2-0 advantage. Chris Stevens scored his 10th of the year on the power play at 11:36 on a centering feed from the left-wing corner. Joe Cooper scored his 2nd of the season at 14:04 on a rebound off Kyle Hagel's initial drive. Cooper snapped it over the reach of the sprawled Darling for the 2-0 lead.
Wheeling outshot the Royals 37-25 on the night but went 0 for 5 on the man advantage despite several fine chances.
The last place Royals improve to 14-27-2 with the win. They have won 5 of their last 8 games under new head coach Larry Corville.
Wheeling is 4-2-0 against the Royals this year with 4 games remaining in the season series. Their next encounter is February 21 back in Reading.
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