ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers' Penalty Kill Completes Perfect Week

December 31, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, WV- On Saturday night, the Wheeling Nailers peppered the Reading Royals, directing 48 shots on goal. Unfortunately for the home team, Reading's Mark Owuya stood on his head, stopping 46 shots, leading his team to a 3-2 victory in front of 3,256 fans at WesBanco Arena.

A little more than halfway through the opening period, the Royals started the scoring. Yannick Tifu dangled in toward the net from the left circle, but had his shot stopped by Patrick Killeen. However, the the puck deflected out to Yannick Riendeau, who knocked in the rebound. The Nailers had a quick answer, evening the score 1:43 later. Paul Crowder took the puck behind the net, and found Matt Lombardi at the bottom of the right circle. Lombardi immediately took his shot, snapping his seventh goal of the season glove side on Mark Owuya.

Wheeling took its first lead of the game just 46 seconds into the middle frame. Ben Farrer handed the puck to Denver Manderson, who dribbled a wrist shot through Owuya's pads from the middle of the slot. The Royals answered at the 3:07 mark, tying the game at two, as Todd Griffith scored on an odd-man rush with Ryan Cruthers. Cruthers netted a goal of his own with 3:43 to go in the second period, capitalizing on a loose puck in the slot, putting the visitors ahead at the end of two.

Neither team was able to find the twine in the third period, despite 17 shots on goal by the Nailers, as Reading escaped with a 3-2 victory.

Mark Owuya earned the win for the Royals, stopping 46 of the 48 shots he faced. Patrick Killeen was saddled with the loss, despite making 23 saves on 26 shots.

The Nailers will be back in action on Friday night, when they play host to the Cincinnati Cyclones at WesBanco Arena, with opening face-off scheduled for 7:35. For ticket information or to purchase tickets call 304-234-GOAL (4625) or online at shop.wheelingnailers.com. You can now purchase Nailers game tickets on your smartphone by visiting m.wheelingnailers.com.

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ECHL Stories from December 31, 2011


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