ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Survive Storm for Fifth Straight Victory

Published on March 25, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling, WV- The Nailers surrendered a three goal lead but managed to extend their season-long winning streak to five games as they defeated the Toledo Storm 6-5 in overtime tonight at WesBanco Arena.

Toledo took a 1-0 lead at 2:09 of the first when Matt Zultek scored his 23rd goal of the season. Wheeling goaltender Andrew Penner made the initial save with Zultek's slapper striking his mask, but the rebound went right back to Zultek, who put a shot top shelf over Penner's glove.

Eric Sonnenberg knotted the game at one at 11:43 of the first when he took a pass from Paul Bissonnette through the crease and backhanded it past Toledo goalie Logan Koopmans. Bernie Chmiel had the second assist.

Joe Guenther gave the Nailers a 2-1 lead at 13:02 with his team leading 26th goal of the year. Streaking down the left wing, Guenther made a power move to the front of the net, forcing it past Koopmans as he was checked to the ice. It was his first goal in ten games. John Smyth and Andrew Penner assisted on the goal.

The first period ended with the Nailers leading 2-1.

The Nailers took a two goal lead just 30 seconds into the second period when Jordan Cameron continued his recent offensive onslaught by notching his 25th goal of the year. Sean Collins and Ned Havern were credited with assists.

Jordan Cameron extended Wheeling's lead to three goals with a power-play marker at 4:16 of the middle frame.

Gathering the puck at the left circle, Cameron skated into the slot and flipped a backhand shot on goal that beat Koopmans through his five-hole. Assisting on the goal were Ryan Moren and Sean Collins.

Chris Blight gave Toledo a sliver of hope at the 10:30 mark when he scored a power-play goal to make it 4-2.

However, the Nailers took their lead back to three goals when Ned Havern scored on the power play at 14:37. Havern ripped a shot from below the left circle past Koopmans. His 16th goal was assisted by Jordan Cameron and Ryan Moren.

Refusing to go away, the Storm struck back less than a minute later at 15:33 of the second when Jason Maleyko corralled a rebound and put it over a sprawling Penner to make it 5-3. And that's how the second period ended.

It only took 20 seconds into the third for Toledo to get to within one goal of Wheeling. Chris Blight tallied his second goal of the game and 25th of the year when he lifted a shot over Penner from just outside the crease.

The Storm then tied it at five apiece with a fluky goal at 4:35 of the third. Jason Maleyko took a cross ice pass and threw a soft wrist shot at the goal from a bad angle. The puck, which looked to be deflected, snuck between Penner's right arm and his body and into the net.

Both teams settled down after the early goals and the game remained tied at five after regulation.

That set the stage for Collins. Skating down the left wing, he got around a Toledo defender and put a wrist shot over the glove of Koopmans for the game-winner.

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ECHL Stories from March 25, 2007


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