ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Rally for Shootout Win over First Place Komets

January 2, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


FORT WAYNE, IN- The Wheeling Nailers were down, but they were far from out on Friday night, as they made a statement against the league-leading Fort Wayne Komets. Fort Wayne led 3-0 and 4-1, only to see the Nailers come back to tie the score in regulation, before ultimately stealing a 5-4 shootout triumph at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Shawn Skelly netted the shootout winner one day after his 28th birthday, while Eric Hartzell was perfect on five shootout attempts between the pipes.

The Nailers had some glorious chances to light the lamp during the first period, but unfortunately, the scoreboard read in the opposite direction, when the 20-minute stanza concluded. Fort Wayne opened the scoring at the 12:41 mark, with Eric Faille wristing a shot through traffic and into the left side of the goal. With 1:21 remaining, the home team added to its advantage, as Matthew Pistilli punctuated a 2-on-1 shorthanded rush with Thomas Frazee.

The middle frame was filled with even more action, as the two sides combined for five goals. Faille got on the board for the second time in the contest at the 6:08 mark, finishing off a shorthanded chance, which was set up by Szydlowski. 1:03 later, the Nailers cashed in for a tally, as Morgan Ellis converted on a wrist shot from high in the offensive zone. Gabriel Beaupre regained the Komets' three-goal advantage with a powerful slap shot at the 16:15 mark, but after that, it was Wheeling who finished the period with a flurry. Chaz Johnson's third goal in two games brought the visitors within two, when he banged in a pass from Tyler Murovich. Francis Drolet also earned a helper for his first ECHL point. 53 seconds after that, Tyler Fernandez and David Gilbert hooked up on a 2-on-1, with Fernandez lighting the lamp for the marker that made the score 4-3 after two.

The Nailers' rally continued into the third period, when they tied the score with 11:53 remaining. Derek Army and Shawn Skelly battled the puck to the front of the net, where Jarrett Burton chipped a shot over Roman Will, ultimately forcing bonus hockey for just the second time in 28 games this season.

The extra session didn't solve anything, so the teams needed a shootout to decide the tilt. Goaltending was the story for the first four rounds, but on the final shot of the fifth round, Shawn Skelly clinched the win for the visitors, ringing a shot in off of the crossbar for the 5-4 final score.

Eric Hartzell won his third straight start for Wheeling, making 31 saves on 35 shots during the game, before denying all five shootout attempts he faced. Roman Will took the shootout loss for Fort Wayne, stopping 37 of 41 shots during the game, before allowing one goal on five shootout tries.

The Nailers will play the fifth of six straight road games in Cincinnati on Saturday at 7:35 against the Cylcones. Wheeling's next home game takes place on January 9th at 7:35 against the Reading Royals.

The Nailers will have a three-game homestand from January 9th-11th.

Reading comes to town on the 9th for Faith & Family Night, which will also be a Flat Screen Friday, courtesy of The Highlands, as well as the Law Firm of Bordas and Bordas. In addition, a player poster will be given to the first 2,000 fans in attendance, thanks to RSQP Print & Design.

Elmira is the opposition on the 10th, as the Nailers will be holding a Princess Party from 6-7. Only 100 tickets are available for the party. That game will also be the annual Girl Scout Night.

Finally, Indy pays a visit on the 11th for a Family Funday with $5 kids tickets, a post game skate with the team, and another Oglebay Good Zoo Day.

Wheeling Nailers 2014-15 season tickets, flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now. For more information, call 304-234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com.

Listen to all Nailers regular season and post-season games live on the Valley's rock station EAGLE 107.5 FM, on www.iheartradio.com or watch live on www.echl.tv. Catch every road game live on WLUTV on Comcast Cable 14.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from January 2, 2015


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