Nailers Return Home With 4-3 Victory Over Elmira
Published on December 27, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling, WV. - The Nailers climbed back to the.500 mark for the second time this season as they held on for a 4-3 victory over The Elmira Jackals on Sunday night at WeBanco Arena. It was Wheeling's second victory in a row since returning to action from the week-long holiday break and was also the team's first home game in two weeks.
Casey Pierro-Zabotel (7th), Colin Power (2nd), Andrew Lord (5th) and Ryan Hillier (2nd) all lit the lamp for the Nailers while goalie Michael-Lee Teslak picked up his first Wheeling win coming against his former team. Wheeling scored 3 of their 4 goals on the power play. Maxime Gratchev led the Jackals attack scoring all three of their goals in the loss.
Maxime Gratchev beat Michael-Lee Teslak to gave the Jackals an early 1-0 lead 1:09 into the first.
Casey Pierro-Zabotel tied the game 1-1 on the power play redirecting it in on the drive of Kyle Bushee at 8:05 in the first. T.J. Fox also assisted on the play.
Colin Power worked around the defenseman to move in alone on Jackals goalie Chris Holt and fired home his first goal as a Nailer to give Wheeling a 2-1 lead 15:23 in the first. The Halifax, NS native was acquired from the Stockton Thunder in a trade about a month ago.
Andrew Lord stretched the lead to 3-1 for the Nailers as he snuck it in over top of Holt on the power play for his 5th of the season 3:41 in the second. Lord picked up a rebound from a Kevin Schmidt drive and batted it off Holt once before finding the net on his second try. Ryan Hillier and Kevin Schmidt picked up assists.
A minute later Gratchev scored a short-handed goal, his second of the game giving the Jackals hope as they trailed 3-2.
Hillier drove to the net on a delayed penalty at 12:54 in the second and moved around Holt to stuff in a backhander for his second of the season and the team's 3rd power play goal of the night to give the Nailers a 4-2 lead.
Just as the Jackals began an abbreviated power play, Gratchev got one past Teslak for the hat trick that brought the Jackals to within one goal at 4-3 at 15:11 in the second.
Wheeling was able to buckle down and keep the Jackals at bay for the 3rd. Wheeling also went on three different power plays through the 3rd which helped the Nailers efforts as the Jackals had difficulty staying out of the box.
One of Elmira's best chances to tie the game came with about 2 minutes remaining when a pass connected with big Mike Sgroi splitting the Nailers D. On his partial breakaway the puck rolled off his stick as Teslak was able to poke it away at the same time.
Teslak was assigned to Wheeling a little over a week ago by the Philadelphia Flyers organization from the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms. Teslak played all of last year for Elmira and played for them the majority of this season so far as well. The Michigan Tech product picked up his first win as a Nailer in his 2nd game.
Elmira outshot the Nailers 29-27 in the game. Wheeling was 3-for-9 on the power play to equal their season high for most power play goals in a game. Elmira went 1-for-7 on the power play.
Wheeling leads the season series over Elmira 3 games to 2.
After a couple days off the Nailers return to action with back to back games against two of the league's hottest teams.
Wheeling returns to action Wednesday night at the Reading Royals in their first matchup of the season. Reading is tops in the East Division and in 2nd in the American Conference
The Nailers will have their traditional New Years' Eve game on Thursday, December 31st match up against the Toledo Walleye on Michael Jackson Tribute Night! Wheeling native and 2009 ECHL Rookie of the Year Bryan "Boomer" Ewing is on a Walleye team that has run off eight wins in a row.
Nailers hockey is always the most awesome family entertainment value in town and we want you there cheering on your hometown team. Kids tickets are always $5 and students get in for only $7. Call the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL.
ECHL Stories from December 27, 2009
- Gratchev's Hat Trick Spoiled By Nailers - Elmira Jackals
- Salmon Kings Drop Aces, Extend Home Winning - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Nailers Return Home With 4-3 Victory Over Elmira - Wheeling Nailers
- Condors Top Reign, 3-2 - Ontario Reign
- Aces Drop Sixth Straight - Alaska Aces
- Condors Extend Division Lead, Hold Off Reign, 3-2 - Bakersfield Condors
- Chiefs Taken Down By Walleye - Johnstown Chiefs
- Walleye Roll To 8th Straight, 7-3 - Toledo Walleye
- Royals Pull Out Overtime Win In Trenton, 4-3 - Reading Royals
- Strong Showing Ends In Overtime Loss, 4-3 - Trenton Devils
- Comeback Falls Short For Stingrays In 5-4 Loss To Charlotte - South Carolina Stingrays
- Checkers Edge Stingrays In See-Saw Battle - Charlotte Checkers
- Record Attendance At Lucas County Arena - Toledo Walleye
- Reynolds Powers Cyclones Comeback Past K-Wings - Kalamazoo Wings
- Gladiators Topple Everblades 3-2 In OT - Atlanta Gladiators
- Gwinnett Edges Florida in Overtime, 3-2 - Florida Everblades
- Cyclones Last Minute Heroics Pull Out 3-2 Overtime Win - Cincinnati Cyclones
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Ben Gordon Loaned To Toronto Marlies - Reading Royals
- Countdown To Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Aces Shuffle Deck Heading Into Victoria Tonight - Alaska Aces
- Grizzlies Acquire Lance Galbraith From Alaska - Utah Grizzlies
- Stingrays Gameday: Stingrays Return Home To Battle Charlotte - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Reign Falls To Wranglers, 4-2 - Ontario Reign
- Condors Battle, But Fall To Stockton 3-1 - Bakersfield Condors
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