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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers remain unbeaten in regulation

November 1, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


The Wheeling Nailers concluded their season-opening run of home games with a disappointing 3-2 shootout loss to the rival Johnstown Chiefs in hard-fought contest.

Wheeling remains the lone team in the American conference with zero regulation losses as their organizational best start ever stands at 5-0-2. Wheeling sits atop the North Division standings with a 2 point lead over the Elmira Jackals.

Mike Bartlett of Johnstown slipped one past Nailers goalie Curtis Darling in the 6th round of the shootout for the win. The shootout score was 2-1 with Mitch Ganzak notching the only Nailers shootout in the 3rd round.

Darling (3-0-2) made 45 saves on 47 Chiefs shots in taking the SOL.

Elgin Reid slipped it across the blue line to Tobias Holm who lit the lamp for Wheeling on their league leading power play at 4:46 of the 1st period on a shot from the right point. It was Holm's 4th of the year and 2nd of the weekend. Tommy Goebel registered the other assist to give him sole possession of the ECHL lead in scoring (7-9-16) with one more point than Tyler Donati of Elmira.

Tobias Holm got tripped from behind on a break-away later in the 1st period and was awarded a penalty shot but failed to convert.

Johnstown stormed back with a 20 shot barrage in the 2nd period including briefly taking the lead. Pete Pohl fired it home on the Chiefs power play at 15:42 to tie the score at 1-1. Randy Rowe gave Johnstown the lead at 18:26 of the 2nd on a mad scramble in front of the net. Darling dove to his left and appeared to block the puck with his outreached stick as the cage was pushed forward and tumbled over him. The officials ruled the puck crossed the goal-line for Randy Rowe's 4th goal of the year.

Johnstown's 2-1 lead would last all of 9 seconds. Off the center face-off Rob Sirianni streaked up the left wing and cut in on net and beat Chiefs net-minder Kris Mayotte for his 4th of the year.

The 2-2 deadlock remained through a back and forth 3rd period in which Darling and Mayotte came up big in the net for both sides. Peter Pohl had a blast from the left dot that clanged off the post behind Darling and bounced out.

In the overtime Mark McCutcheon had ample time to walk in all alone from the blue line and by the time he got to the goal Darling was able to reach across and deny him. Wheeling had chances to win when they went on the power play with 1:52 to go in overtime on a Mike Bartlett interference call. But the Nailers were turned away by Chiefs defenders and goalie Mayotte right up to horn. Then Bartlett would come out of the box and get to score the winner for the Chiefs in the 6th round.

Johnstown outshot the Nailers on the night 48-40. The Chiefs went 2/7 on the power play while the Nailers converted at a 1/6 clip.

The season series between the Chiefs and Nailers is now tied at 1-1.

This ends a run of 6 of their first 7 contests at home for the Nailers. Their next games are their only non-divisional battled as they travel to Biloxi next weekend for a 3 game series vs. the Mississippi Sea Wolves. Games are Friday November 7 at 8:05pm, Saturday November 8 at 8:05pm and Sunday November 9 at 6:05pm.

The Nailers next home game is Friday, November 14 vs. the Dayton Bombers on Pups-and-Pucks night at WesBanco Arena sponsored by Main Street Bank. Fans are invited and encouraged to bring their dogs with them to the game for a howlin' good time!

All games are on the Wheeling Nailers broadcast radio network including The Mix 97.3fm, Wheelingnailers.com and televised on the B2 network. The USA Steak Buffet Countdown to Faceoff begins at 7:15pm including the Main Street Bank coach's conversation with Greg Puhalski.

For information contact the Nailers ticket office at 877-NAIL-TIX or 304-234-GOAL or log-on to wheelingnailers.com.

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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.

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