Nailers Make It Seven In A Row
March 30, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling, WV- The Nailers, in an improbable finish, improved their season-long winning streak to seven games by defeating the Cincinnati Cyclones 5-4 with a game-winning shorthanded goal by captain Sean Collins in the final seconds of the game tonight at WesBanco Arena.
The Nailers took a 1-0 lead on Vin Hellemeyer's fifth goal of the season at 5:13 of the first period. Paul Bissonnette flipped a shot from the top of the left circle and Hellemeyer deflected it past Cyclones goalie Cedrick Desjardins. Josh Ciocco, who jut signed with the team out of the University of New Hampshire, was credited with the second assist, earning him his first point as a professional.
The visitors responded in kind, however, and tied the game at one at 7:55 of the opening period. Jason Deitsch was able to poke a rebound past Andy Franck for his 26th of the year.
The Nailers struck back late in the first to take a 2-1 lead into the locker rooms. Jordan Cameron notched his team leading 27th goal of the season with just 22 ticks on the clock. Ryan Moren had the only assist on the power-play goal.
The Cyclones were next to mark the score sheet, tying the game at two 11:31 into the second period when Barret Ehgoetz dove to the ice and forced home a loose puck.
Ned Havern broke the deadlock at 8:02 of the third, giving the Nailers a 3-1 lead. Taking a pass from Sean Collins, Havern skated to the slot and fired a snap shot over Desjardin's shoulder. Ryan Moren had the second assist.
Sam Ftorek tied the game at three at 14:18 of the final period with a shot from the point that deflected off of a body in front and beat Franck through his five-hole. It was a power-play goal.
Less than a minute later, Sean Collins gave the Nailers a 4-3 lead with a short handed goal. Collins threw the puck on net after cutting to the middle on a 1-on-2 situation. Desjardins made the initial save, but his own player went sliding into him, forcing the puck into the net for the goal. It was unassisted and Collins' 23rd of the year.
Jean Michel Daoust tied the game for the Cyclones with a power-play goal at 17:44 of the third, beating Franck from just outside the crease for his 28th of the year.
It looked as though the game was headed to overtime, but Sean Collins changed all of that with 23 seconds left on the clock.
In almost a mirror image of his first goal, Collins rushed down the right wing, cut to the slot and ripped a wrist shot over the glove of Desjardins. Again, it was a shorthanded goal for the game-winner.
With the win and the Reading Royals loss, the Nailers move to within one point of the fifth and final playoff spot.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from March 30, 2007
- Falcons Fall to Condors 3-2 - Fresno Falcons
- Grizzlies Fall Short in Overtime - Utah Grizzlies
- Salmon Kings shake the Gray zone - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Steelheads Fall 4-3 To Ice Dogs In Sudden Death Shootout - Idaho Steelheads
- Everblades suffer tough-luck 3-2 loss to Texas - Florida Everblades
- Nailers Make It Seven In A Row - Wheeling Nailers
- Reading Defeated By Dayton, 5-1 - Reading Royals
- Stingrays beat Lynx 4-1 - Augusta Lynx
- Cyclones Rally Four Times, But Come Up Short In 5-4 Loss - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Chiefs storm over Toledo 6-1 - Johnstown Chiefs
- Stingrays Stymie Lynx 4-1 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Friday, Saturday Will Further Clarify Kelly Cup Playoffs - ECHL
- Gladiators Fall to Inferno, 4-3 - Atlanta Gladiators
- ECHL Transactions - Mar. 30 - ECHL
- Victoria Salmon Kings game notes - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Match-Ups If Kelly Cup Playoffs Began Friday - ECHL
- Phoenix's Maxwell Suspended One Game - ECHL
- McCaffrey Returns to the Rays - South Carolina Stingrays
- Geris, Thunder Agree To Terms - Stockton Thunder
- Crampton gets call to AHL - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Everblades get pair assigned from Rochester - Florida Everblades
- Everblades clinch playoff spot - Florida Everblades
- Lynx battle for playoffs continues tonight - Augusta Lynx
- Moose re-assign Ellis to Victoria - Victoria Salmon Kings
- ECHL Today - ECHL
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.
