ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Lose On Thanksgiving Eve 4-1

Published on November 25, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling, WV - The Wheeling Nailers were unable to come up with a Thanksgiving Eve victory as they lost 4-1 to the Florida Everblades in the first ever matchup between the two teams. The Everblades improve to 9-7-2 and the Nailers fall to 5-9-1 with their second loss in a row.

Thomas Beauregard scored the lone tally for the Nailers to increase his league leading total to 11 which is also tied for 3rd in the ECHL. Jordan Morrison scored one of the goals for the Everblades against his former team. Morrison had 28 goals for the Nailers last year.

The Florida Everblades lead after one period with goals from Ross Carlson and a short handed goal by Ryan Lang. Carlson whipped it past Jordan Parise who found himself out of play after making a beautiful left-leg pad save on Jacob Micflikier's initial drive.

Lang stuffed in a backhander past Parise on a 2 on 1 rush along with Steve McJannet for a short-handed goal giving Florida a 2-0 lead.

The Nailers killed off a 5 on 3 power-play for 1:30 at the beginning of the 2nd period to gain some momentum but Florida shot that down as a former Nailer would light the lamp to extend the Everblades' lead. Florida made it 3-0 as Jordan Morrison weaved his way in between the defenders and found himself alone with Parise to fire home his 3rd of the year. Morrison was second on Wheeling in scoring last year with 26 goals and 48 assists for 74 points.

The Everblades also feature Elgin Reid on the blue-line who like Morrison and Wheeling's Mitch Ganzak were on the ECHL All-Rookie team last year. Reid showed up in his old home building and chipped in an assist.

Harrison Reed scored on the top shelf past Parise with 3 seconds left of a 5 on 3 powerplay in the 3rd period to make it 4-0.

The Nailers had a late opportunity to try to come back with a 5 on 3 power play opportunity.

Wheeling got on the board 4-1 as Beareguard appeared to bank it off the back of the goalie Beckford-Tsu and into the net. Andrew Lord had the initial shot on a backhander between the circles that went wide allowing Beauregard to pick up the rebound. Aaron Clarke also assisted on the play as he fed it to Lord between the circles.

The Montreal native Beauregard leads the Nailerrs with 11 goals and moved into a tie for 3rd in the league by breaking his 2 game goal-less drought.

Despite taking the loss, Jordan Parise (2-5-1) played a fine game in net with 23 saves on 27 shots. He made several solid saves while the goals he did allow were mostly solid shots from the Florida skaters.

Florida has been in the league for 11 years while Wheeling is in their 18th season but this was the first ever meeting between the two teams. The Nailers will return the favor with a 3 game series down in sunny Florida on Dec 16th, 18th and 19th (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday). The Everblades are based out of the Fort Myers area in southwest Florida and play their home games at Germain Arena in Estero, FL.

Florida is the defending Brabham Cup champions leading the league in points last year. They also features the league's reigning MVP and scoring champ in Kevin Baker who had 57 goals last year and 102 points but was held with a goal for his 11th game this season although he did almost get off the schneid when he rifled one wide and high on a 2-on-1 rush in the 2nd period.

The Nailers will try to work off their Thanksgiving turkey Friday night when they hit the road for a single game at the Elmira Jackals. Wheeling split a pair of games at Elmira last weekend.

Saturday night the Nailers take on the Cincinnati Cyclones on Pink in the Rink at 8:05pm. $2 from special tickets sold will go to benefit breast cancer patients of the Ohio Valley as well as proceeds from the post-game jersey auction where you can buy the special pink Nailers jerseys right off the players' backs. It's also George Kellas bobblehead night for the first 2500 hands honoring the great area sportscaster. And bring your new teddy bears and stuffed animals to throw on the ice after the Nailers score their first goal. The annual Nailers Teddy-Bear Toss is always a blast and the donations go to benefit area kids.

Sunday night the Nailers wrap up the big week with another game against Cincinnati at 6:35pm. Wear an NFL jersey to the game and get a special discounted adult ticket for only $10. It's Sunday Family FunDay featuring a post-game skate with the Nailers players. Be sure to bring your skates and gloves$B!D(Band don't forget the camera!

Nailers hockey is always the most awesome family entertainment value in town and we want you there cheering on your hometown team. Take advantage of the Nailers new $87 package for 7 Nailers home games.Kids tickets are always $5 and students get in for only $7. Call the Wheeling Nailers at (304) 234-GOAL, that's 234-4625. Or log on to wheelingnailers.com for more information.

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ECHL Stories from November 25, 2009


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