Nailers Stung by South Carolina on Star Wars Night
December 5, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling Nailers Try to Control the Puck vs. the South Carolina Stingrays
(Wheeling Nailers)
WHEELING, WV- Zack Torquato scored the annual Teddy Bear Toss Goal, and 3,454 fans packed their way into WesBanco Arena, but unfortunately, there weren't many other positives to take away for the Wheeling Nailers. The South Carolina Stingrays flew out to a 3-0 lead in the first period, en route to scoring the first six goals of the contest, as they took down the Nailers, 6-1.
The first period was anything but what the Nailers hoped it would be, as South Carolina blasted out of the gates with three goals. The first one came on the power play at the 4:39 mark, when Wade Epp drilled in a slap shot from the middle of the blueline. 1:18 later, the Stingrays scored their second marker. David Pacan stole the puck in front of the benches, sending Jared Staal in on the left side of the offensive zone. His first shot was stopped, but he picked up his own rebound, and stashed it. With 5:33 remaining, the visitors potted their third goal, as Joe Devin finished off a play with Andrew Rowe and Ryan Ruikka for a 3-0 score after twenty minutes.
Unfortunately for the home team, the scoreboard continued to tilt for the Stingrays in the middle frame. Former Nailer Colin Mulvey turned on the red light for the second consecutive contest, as his wrist shot from the left circle flew into the right side of the net. Then, with 4:34 remaining, the lead was upped to five, as Stephan Vigier roofed a loose puck on the right side of the crease. Rowe and Paul Rodrigues set up the play, as South Carolina outnumbered the Nailers in the offensive end.
South Carolina tacked on one more goal at the 9:54 mark of the third period, when Jordan Kwas whacked home the rebound of Bobby Shea's shot from the right side of the slot. With 18.2 seconds to go, the Nailers ended the shutout bid, while sending the teddy bears onto the ice. Zack Torquato fired in a shot from the left circle, assisted by Mathew Maione and Derek Army.
Vitek Vanecek was the winning netminder for the Stingrays, making 23 saves on 24 shots. Franky Palazzese took the loss for Wheeling, as he allowed five goals on 26 shots, before being replaced by Casey DeSmith, who went 14-for-15 in his professional debut.
The Nailers will finish off the weekend on Sunday with a 4:05 face-off against the Elmira Jackals. Kids tickets will be $5 and there will be a post game skate with the team. On December 12th, Old Time Hockey Night will take place, with a special visit by the Hanson Brothers from the movie "Slap Shot." There will also be a post game autograph session, as well as a team card set giveaway, as Wheeling hosts Toledo at 7:35.
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 Wheeling Nailers Try to Control the Puck vs. the South Carolina Stingrays |
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