Nailers Roll Over Toledo 5-0
Published on March 11, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV - Zack Torquato scored in his first game back, Peter Delmas added his third shutout in four games to his resume, and Andrew Hotham picked up a Gordie Howe hat trick in the Nailers 5-0 victory over the Toledo Walleye.
Zack Torquato started off his first game back since February 14th, by claiming the first penalty of the afternoon. The Nailers were able to kill the minor for unsportsmanlike conduct, before Andrew Hotham and Mike Thomas took their own turns in the penalty box after a fight at center ice. The game became physical quickly, as Adam Ross and David Toews met with a hard hit in the far corner, with Ross coming away on the winning end of the check.
Wheeling went on the power play with 11:01 left in the first, after Steve Miller was called for tripping. The Nailers peppered goaltender Alec Richards with shots, including a near goal by Chris Barton. Peter Lenes scored his 22nd of the season with two seconds left on the power play, from Louke Oakley and Peter Merth to give the Nailers a 1-0 lead. Paul Crowder quickly gave the Nailers a two-goal lead, as his wrist shot from the left circle beat Richards. Barton and Hotham were awarded assists on the goal.
Tempers flared, as Matt Schepke and Phil Rauch had the second fight of the first period. Both left the ice, and the Nailers went back to the penalty kill, as Schepke was assessed an additional two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct. Toledo, however, was unable to convert with the man-advantage.
A bouncing puck made its way behind Richards from the slot to put the Nailers up
3-0 with 57 seconds left. Torquato was awarded with the goal, and Hotham earned his second assist of the afternoon.
Nick Oslund was assessed a boarding minor at the tail end of the first, and the power play started the second period for the Nailers. Despite a great flurry in front of the net with thirty seconds left on the penalty, the Nailers were unable to find the back of the net.
Oakley was called for high sticking, and blood on Paul Cianfrini resulted in a double minor for the Nailers to kill. Wheeling managed to keep the play fairly even -- despite the elongated penalty -- and spent time pressuring the Walleye's defensive zone. Ben Farrer grabbed the puck on a breakaway at center, and carried it into Toledo's zone for the shorthanded goal. His tenth goal of the season was unassisted, and gave the Nailers a 4-0 lead halfway through the second period.
Torquato went back to the penalty box with 3:50 left in the second. The Nailers went right into Toledo's end, but Richards kept the puck out of his net. Wheeling continued to beat away at the Walleye power play, and the Walleye were unable to put the puck past Peter Delmas. The Nailers once again ended the period with a man advantage, as Miller was called for delay of game.
Despite 1:55 left on the penalty to Miller to start the third, the Nailers were unable to score on Richards. Delmas continued to stand tall in net, making saves from high on his mask, as well as a nice glove save right off the face-off.
Wheeling went to work on the power play after a goaltender interference call on Andrej Nestrasil, and with 14 seconds to go, Zach Hansen and Joey Martin dropped the gloves with the third fight of the afternoon. Hansen picked up an extra two minutes for cross checking, and Toledo killed the penalty to Nestrasil. Toledo put forth an effort on the power play, but the Nailers killed the penalty.
Toledo went back to the penalty kill, as Riley Emmerson was called for boarding. Kyle Rogers came into the Nailers zone, looking for a shorthanded goal, but Delmas stopped him with his right pad. Several great chances for the Nailers went by with great saves by Richards, and Toledo successfully killed the penalty.
Hotham gave the Nailers a 5-0 lead over the Walleye at 12:44 with a shot from the left circle. Farrer and Schepke picked up assists on the play. The goal gave Hotham a Gordie Howe Hat Trick for the night with a goal, an assist, and a fight. The Walleye came on strong with 3:35 to go, but Delmas came up big with a huge save. Despite a last minute effort from Toledo, the Nailers blanked the Walleye 5-0.
The Nailers hit the road to play Chicago Wednesday night before returning home Friday night against Reading at 7:35 p.m. 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.
ECHL Stories from March 11, 2012
- Gladiators Remain in First with 4-3 Shootout Win - Atlanta Gladiators
- Road Warriors Pick Up Point In Shootout Loss - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Nailers Roll Over Toledo 5-0 - Wheeling Nailers
- Cyclones Fall to Stingrays, 3-1 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Scherer Leads Stingrays Past Cyclones - South Carolina Stingrays
- Wheeling Defeats Toledo 5-0 - Toledo Walleye
- Stingrays Add Forward Nielsson Arcibal - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Transactions - March 11 - ECHL
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- Greenville Road Warriors Game Preview - March 11, 2012 - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati at South Carolina - Cincinnati Cyclones
- ECHL Today - March 11 - ECHL
- Goldie's Golden Goal Is Game-Winner in 4-1 Win - Colorado Eagles
- Goldie Makes History as Aces Sweep Eagles with 4-1 Win - Alaska Aces
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