Nailers Open Season in Style
Published on October 14, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
GREENVILLE, SC- The 2011-12 season got off to a fantastic start for the Wheeling Nailers, as they visited the Greenville Road Warriors on Friday night. After surrendering the game's first goal in the first minute, Wheeling scored the next six, silencing the Bi-Lo Center crowd with a 6-1 thumping. Mikael Bedard tallied twice for the Nailers, while Patrick Killeen stopped 19 shots in the win.
In the first period, the Road Warriors jumped out to a quick lead, as the Nailers were assessed a penalty just 25 seconds into the contest. Greenville's Jeff Prough intercepted a pass in the middle of the offensive zone, before snapping a wrist shot against the grain on Wheeling netminder Patrick Killeen. The Nailers had a pair of answers for Greenville in the opening stanza, turning the 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead. Paul Crowder flipped what appeared to be an innocent shot on goal that was stopped by Jerry Kuhn. However, Kuhn's attempt to clear the puck deflected off of one of his defenseman, trickling into the net for the equalizer. A little more than four minutes later, Wheeling added their second goal of the frame. Christiaan Minella tried sending a pass through the middle that got blocked. However, the block ended up working to Minella's advantage, as he got the puck back, catching Kuhn off guard for the go-ahead tally.
The Nailers picked up right where they left off, netting a pair of goals in the second. Zack Torquato chipped the puck out of his own zone, creating a 2-on-1 rush with Matt Lombardi. Torquato ultimately tapped a pass through the defender to Lombardi, who skated in alone and beat Kuhn glove side. With 3:41 left in the period, Wheeling extended the lead to three. Zach Hansen sent a pass across the ice to Mickael Bedard, who put a wrist shot just underneath the crossbar and inside of the left post for a 4-1 lead at the intermission.
The visitors completed their victory in the third period. Mikael Bedard extended Wheeling's lead to four, when he finished off a quick passing play with Nick Plastino and Christiaan Minella. Finally, with 1:56 to go, Nick Plastino skated hard from his own end of the ice in on goal, where he faked to the backhand, and lifted a shot into the top part of the goal, giving the Nailers a 6-1 win.
Patrick Killeen made 19 saves on 20 shots in the win for Wheeling, defeating Jerry Kuhn, who allowed six goals on 36 shots for Greenville.
The Nailers will play the second half of their road trip on Saturday against the South Carolina Stingrays at 7:05, before returning to WesBanco Arena for their home opener on October 22nd against the Elmira Jackals.
ECHL Stories from October 14, 2011
- Nailers Open Season in Style - Wheeling Nailers
- Titans Run into Jackals Buzzsaw in Opener - Trenton Titans
- Stingrays Give Carbery First Victory with Overtime Win Over Royals - South Carolina Stingrays
- Road Warriors Tripped Up In Opener - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Glads Drop Opener 3-2 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Paul Crowder Named Nailers Captain - Wheeling Nailers
- Reign Announce Opening Day Roster - Ontario Reign
- Goaltender Mark Owuya Assigned by Toronto to Reading - Reading Royals
- Nailers Announce Opening Night Roster - Wheeling Nailers
- ECHL Transactions - October 14 - ECHL
- Jackals Receive Caporusso from B-Sens - Elmira Jackals
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Colorado Eagles - Stockton Thunder
- Stingrays Unveil 2011-12 Military Jerseys - South Carolina Stingrays
- Jackals Season-Opener Preview: Trenton at Elmira - Elmira Jackals
- Greenville Road Warriors Game Preview - October 14, 2011 - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- ECHL Today - October 14 - ECHL
- Stingrays Gameday: Stingrays Induct Nate Kiser into Hall of Fame and Open 19th Season Tonight - South Carolina Stingrays
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