ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Win Nail-Biter in Indy

Published on March 7, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


INDIANAPOLIS, IN- Saturday night's game between the Wheeling Nailers and Indy Fuel crammed nearly every exciting aspect of hockey into a sixty-minute contest. In the end, it was the Nailers who came away victorious, as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead, before holding on for a dramatic 4-3 win at Indiana Farmers Coliseum.

The first period got off to an emotional start, as a pair of fights took place during the opening 16 seconds of play. Once the game began to play its way out, it was the Nailers who had the better performance on the scoreboard. The first tally came at the 5:39 mark, while Wheeling was playing on the man advantage. Riley Brace dished the puck to Derek Army, who spun a wrist shot into the net from the right side of the slot. Later in the frame, the Nailers made Indy see double. Bobby Shea settled down a bouncing puck at the 13:39 mark, before hooking up with Jarrett Burton, who dented the twine from the middle of the slot. The visitors added another goal 16 seconds after that, as Shawn Skelly banged in the rebound of Shea's shot from the right point.

Wheeling picked up another marker during the opening minute of the second period, needing just 42 seconds to do so. Army and Zack Torquato worked the puck around to Alex Boak, who found daylight with a low wrist shot from the top of the right circle. Indy got on the scoreboard with 2:22 remaining in the middle frame. Garett Bembridge stole the puck in the trapezoid, feeding Chris DeSousa, who utilized a Bembridge deflection to lift a shot underneath the crossbar, ending Franky Palazzese's 90+ minute shutout streak.

The game got even closer in the third period, when the Fuel cashed in on a five-minute power play, drawing to within a goal. Justin Holl sent in a bouncing puck from the right point at the 3:25 mark, before Bembridge found himself with a wide open chance at the top of the left circle 50 seconds later. The Indy alternate captain converted on his chance, but the Nailers held down the fort from there, successfully killing two more penalties for the 4-3 victory.

Franky Palazzese put together another strong performance, making 31 saves in the win for Wheeling. Mac Carruth was the loser for Indy, letting in four goals on 26 shots.

The Nailers will continue their road trip in Evansville on Sunday at 6:00. Wheeling's next home game is Friday night at 7:35 against Kalamazoo.

The Nailers next homestand will take place from March 13th-17th.

Friday the 13th will be a 7:35 face-off in a key North Divsion tilt against the Kalamazoo Wings. One lucky fan will leave with a new TV on Flat Screen Friday, while 2,000 fans will get a free player poster. That night will also be a Frosty Friday.

On Saturday the 14th, the Stanley Cup comes to WesBanco Arena, as Wheeling faces Elmira at 7:35. Three other NHL trophies will be on display on Memorabilia Night, which will also feature a trading card set giveaway and post game autograph session. The Pittsburgh Pirate Parrot will be at the game as well.

Tuesday the 17th is a 7:05 clash with the Toledo Walleye on St. Patrick's Day. Kids tickets will be $5.

Wheeling Nailers 2015-16 season tickets, as well as flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets for 2014-15 are on sale now. For more information, call 304-234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com.

Listen to all Nailers regular season and post-season games live on the Valley's rock station EAGLE 107.5 FM, on www.iheartradio.com or watch live on www.echl.tv. Catch every road game live on WLUTV on Comcast Cable 14.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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ECHL Stories from March 7, 2015


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