Nailers Win First Game of Season in Shootout Thriller
October 27, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
READING, PA- The Wheeling Nailers got their first win of the 2018-19 season in dramatic fashion on Saturday night, as they faced their longtime rivals, the Reading Royals, at Santander Arena. The contest took until the fourth round of a shootout to get decided, and that's when Cam Brown was the hero, netting the winning goal for the Nailers. John Muse was terrific in goal with 37 saves in the game and four more in the shootout, while Brown, Troy Josephs, and Winston Day Chief all had two-point nights in the 3-2 Wheeling triumph.
After a scoreless first period, both teams dented the twine in the middle frame. Reading was first on the scoreboard at the 1:45 mark. Michael Huntebrinker's shot from the right circle rang off of the post, before bouncing out to Steve Johnson, who swatted in a backhander from the low slot. The Nailers responded less than seven minutes later. Cam Brown centered the puck to the top of the crease, where Winston Day Chief battled home his first goal in a Wheeling uniform.
Wheeling took its first lead of the night at the 2:34 mark of the third period. Troy Josephs ripped a wrist shot from the right face-off dot, flying it into the top-right corner of the cage. Cam Brown picked up the lead assist, giving him a pair of helpers in the contest. The Royals battled back to draw even, as Alex Krushelnyski broke away and scored on his backhand.
That tally ultimately forced overtime and then a shootout, thanks in large part to John Muse and the Wheeling penalty kill, which turned in a perfect 5-for-5 effort. The netminders matched each other save-for-save until round four, when Muse denied Nick Luukko, opening the door for Cam Brown, who waited out Angus Redmond, before lifting a shot over his right leg pad for the 3-2 Nailers victory.
John Muse got the win against his former team, making 37 saves on 39 shots for the Nailers, before blocking all four shootout attempts. Angus Redmond turned away 31 of 33 shots for Reading, before being bested on one of four shootout attempts.
The Nailers and Royals will meet again in Reading on Sunday at 4:00. Wheeling plays its first home game on November 3rd against the Indy Fuel, featuring a pregame concert by Logan Wojcik, the induction of the Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame's Class of 2018, and the debut of the team's new alternate jersey. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley. For information on season tickets, group tickets, flex plans, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from October 27, 2018
- Solar Bears Rally to Defeat 'Blades in Overtime - Florida Everblades
- Hurley's Late Goal Propels Admirals over Stingrays 5-3 - Norfolk Admirals
- Fejes Lifts Solar Bears Past Everblades in OT - Orlando Solar Bears
- Cyclones Breakaway to Road Victory - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Fuel Winning Streak Snapped in Kansas City - Indy Fuel
- Swamp Rabbits Battle to 4-3 Win over Glads - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Starrett Outstanding in Overtime Loss at Tulsa - Wichita Thunder
- Oilers Dominate Thunder in Eventual Overtime Win - Tulsa Oilers
- Cyclones Top K-Wings on Nickelodeon Night - Kalamazoo Wings
- Mavs Fill the Net in 7-2 Win - Kansas City Mavericks
- Hurley's Late Strike Gives Admirals Series Win - South Carolina Stingrays
- Henry's Late Goal Propels Thunder to Fourth Straight Win - Adirondack Thunder
- Krushelnyski Ties It in Third, Nailers Take Game in Shootout, 3-2 - Reading Royals
- Nailers Win First Game of Season in Shootout Thriller - Wheeling Nailers
- Berdin's 38 Saves Leads IceMen to 3-2 OT Win over Glads - Atlanta Gladiators
- Monarchs Sink Mariners, 5-2 - Manchester Monarchs
- Railers Fall Late 2-1 in Glens Falls vs. the Thunder - Worcester Railers HC
- Second Period Buries Mariners in Loss to Monarchs - Maine Mariners
- Beast Win ECHL's First All-Canadian Match-Up - Brampton Beast
- Growlers Fall to Beast 3-2 - Newfoundland Growlers
- Madsen Heads to Tucson; Admirals Add Goaltender Brad Barone - Norfolk Admirals
- Dirk Returns to K-Wings - Kalamazoo Wings
- Rampage Assign Perfetto to Oilers - Tulsa Oilers
- Game Preview: Solar Bears at Everblades - Orlando Solar Bears
- ECHL Transactions - October 27 - ECHL
- Ondrej Vala Recalled to Texas Stars by Dallas - Idaho Steelheads
- Penguins Loan Troy Josephs to Nailers - Wheeling Nailers
- Cyclones Game Preview: vs. Kalamazoo - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Game Day Preview: Everblades vs. Orlando Solar Bears - Florida Everblades
- Game Preview: Stingrays at Admirals, October 27, 2018 - Norfolk Admirals
- Game Day: Everything Turns Orange for Nickelodeon Night - Kalamazoo Wings
- Nailers at Royals Game Day Snap Shot 10-27-18 - Wheeling Nailers
- Game Day Report: Mavericks Host Indy Saturday Night at SECA - Kansas City Mavericks
- Royals Game Day: Wheeling Comes to Town for Start of Back-To-Back - Reading Royals
- Ouellette Shuts Door on Everblades in 3-0 Solar Bears Win - Orlando Solar Bears
- Grizzlies Win 3-2 at Maverik Center - Utah Grizzlies
- Americans Take Game 1 in Rapid City in a Shootout - Allen Americans
- Rush Fall in Shootout Thriller - Rapid City Rush
- Steelheads Slip to the Grizzlies, 3-2 - Idaho Steelheads
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
