Nailers Topple Express 4-1
December 18, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Chicago Express News Release
Wheeling, WV- The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL and proud affiliate of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, fell 4-1 to the Wheeling Nailers at the WesBanco Center in Wheeling on Sunday afternoon.
The Express and Nailers were both flying in the first period, as each team fired 12 shots on goal in the frame. The first goal wasn't scored however until early in the second period. C Zack Torquato fired a backhander toward the front of the net which ended up on the tape of LW Mikael Beddard's stick, and he tapped it home to give the Nailers the lead at 4:37 of the middle frame. The Express struck back 1:12 later, as F Kyle Ostrow slammed home a rebound, snapping four straight periods of shutout hockey and tying the game at 1-1. Wheeling regained the lead before the end of the period on a beautiful give-and-go play that resulted in a pass from D Tim Priamo to C Paul Crowder and 2-1 Nailers lead with 5:57 to play in the frame.
Wheeling opened up their largest lead of the game just past the halfway point of the final frame. Four seconds into a power play, F Cody Chupp deflected a shot from Denver Manderson, granting Wheeling a 3-1 lead with 8:03 remaining in the third period. Chicago tried to get back into the game with G Allen York pulled in favor of an extra attacker, but Manderson deposited a shot into the empty net from his own zone, securing a 4-1 win for Wheeling. G Allen York stopped 31 of the 34 shots he faced in the game.
Power plays: CHI: 1/3; WHE: 0/2
Three stars: 1. P. Killeen (WHE); 2. T. Priamo (WHE); 3. C. Chupp (WHE)
Notes:
Chicago played short of the maximum 16 skaters for the third straight game... D Darcy Campbell returned from Springfield (AHL) before the game, and had an assist on Chicago's lone goal... LW Devin DiDiomete played in his 200th professional game... Chicago suffered a loss to an Atlantic Division team for the first time this season.
The Express return to the Sears Centre Arena for a three game set starting on December 30 against Kalamazoo.
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