Nailers Punish Royals, 5-1
Published on December 2, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
READING, PA- The Wheeling Nailers and Reading Royals began their season series on Friday night with an emotional contest. Wheeling jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening period, and never looked back, ultimately building a 5-0 lead, which they turned into a 5-1 victory. Chris Barton tallied twice, Adam Ross netted his first professional goal, and Patrick Killeen made 20 saves for the visitors, in front of 4,913 fans at Sovereign Center.
The Nailers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, scoring two quick goals in the middle portion of the frame. At the 9:44 mark of the period, Cody Chupp steered a shot on goal that was stopped by Joe Palmer. The Reading netminder was unable to secure the puck, allowing Chris Barton to dig the rebound free, before lifting a shot into the top of the cage. 24 seconds later, Wheeling added to the lead, as Zack Torquato set up Patrick Johnson on the outside of the left circle. Johnson found room on Palmer, squeezing a shot through his equipment.
Wheeling continued to control play in the second period, netting their third goal of the evening just 44 seconds into the stanza. While on the power play, Chris Barton tossed the puck toward the goal from the right side of the net, and got a friendly deflection to send the puck in past Palmer, knocking him out of the game. Karel St. Laurent took over between the pipes, and was greeted by newest Nailer Adam Ross, who ripped in a wrist shot for his first professional goal. Ross' marker came with his team playing shorthanded. Later in the period, Christiaan Minella tallied Wheeling's fifth goal of the game, capitalizing on a loose puck on the left side of the net.
Early in the third period, the Royals broke up Wheeling's shutout bid, as Dale Mitchell took a drop pass from Olivier Labelle, and scored over Patrick Killeen's left shoulder. However, that was the Nailers' lone blemish, as they cruised to the 5-1 victory.
Patrick Killeen earned the win in goal for Wheeling, making 20 saves on 21 shots. Joe Palmer took the loss for Reading, allowing three goals on 14 shots, before giving way to Karel St. Laurent, who stopped 22 of 24 shots in relief.
The Nailers return home to WesBanco Arena on Saturday night for a 7:35 face-off against the Trenton Titans. Saturday is team poster giveaway night. The 1st 2,000 fans through the gates at WesBanco Arena will receive a free team poster courtesy of WesBanco Bank, the McLure Hotel, Panhandle Cleaning, and Generations Pub. Following the game the entire Nailers team will be signing autographs for fans in the lobby of WesBanco Arena. Tor order tickets call 304-234-GOAL or online at shop.wheelingnailers.com. You can also order game tickets on your smartphone at m.wheelingnailers.com.
ECHL Stories from December 2, 2011
- Final Five Minutes Start Grizzlies Weekend with 3-2 Comeback Win - Utah Grizzlies
- Royals Drilled by Nailers, 5-1 - Reading Royals
- Grizzlies Get Goal in Last Minute to Claim Win Over Colorado - Colorado Eagles
- Karlander Leads K-Wings To Victory - Kalamazoo Wings
- Beca Scores in Overtime to Lift Blades to 4-3 Win - Florida Everblades
- Glads Come Back Late, Fall 4-3 in OT - Atlanta Gladiators
- Stingrays' Winning Streak Snapped with 5-3 Loss to K-Wings - South Carolina Stingrays
- Nailers Punish Royals, 5-1 - Wheeling Nailers
- Reign Players Get into the Holiday Spirit - Ontario Reign
- Presizniuk Rejoins Titans Frpom Providence - Trenton Titans
- Neal Returns, Idaho Adds Defenseman - Idaho Steelheads
- ECHL Transactions - December 2 - ECHL
- Lee Baldwin Assigned by New York Rangers - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Forward Kyle Mackinnon Loaned to Reading - Reading Royals
- Grubauer Named ECHL Goaltender of the Month - South Carolina Stingrays
- Krischuk Returns to Wranglers - Las Vegas Wranglers
- South Carolina's Grubauer Named ECHL Goaltender of the Month - ECHL
- Martin Goes to Houston - Toledo Walleye
- Express Announce Holiday Ticket Packages - Chicago Express
- Jeff Prough Named ECHL Player of the Month for November - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Ontario Reign - Stockton Thunder
- Greenville's Prough Named Reebok Hockey ECHL Player of the Month - ECHL
- Nailers Game Preview: Wheeling Nailers Vs. Reading Royals - Wheeling Nailers
- ECHL Announces Fines, Suspensions - ECHL
- Nailers Barton Named ECHL Rookie of the Month - Wheeling Nailers
- Wheeling's Barton Named Reebok Hockey ECHL Rookie of the Month - ECHL
- ECHL Today - December 2 - ECHL
- Greenville Road Warriors Game Preview - December 2 - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Jackals Game Preview: Elmira Vs. Trenton - Elmira Jackals
- Stingrays Gameday: Nature Night, Teacher Appreciation Night Tonight Against K-Wings - South Carolina Stingrays
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
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.
