Nailers win shootout thriller
November 28, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling native Bryan Ewing scored early in the 2nd period and tacked on the game-winner in the shootout as the Nailers remaining unbeaten in regulation on the road with a 3-2 shootout win at the Dayton Bombers Friday night. The win keeps the Wheeling Nailers unbeaten in regulation on the road this season.
Wheeling had a power play opportunity to close the 3rd period and begin the overtime but Dayton goalie Tyler Plante was able the withstand the onslaught. Then the Nailers took a pair of penalties later in the overtime and had to hold off a 5-on-3 Bombers attack for almost 50 seconds just to stay alive and get the game to the shootout. The Wheeling penalty kill was aces and Curtis Darling picked up a few big saves to keep the game tied.
Wheeling picked up their first shootout win in 5 tries by lighting the lamp with 3 of their first 4 scorers. Jon Grecu and Nick Johnson lit the lamp in rounds 1 and 3 to give the Nailers a 2-0 advantage. Jarrey Lukin of the Bombers scored to begin the 4th round to keep the Bombers alive but Bryan Ewing raced in with the shootout game-winner to close out the game as the Nailers led 3-1 in the shootout with only one round remaining to clinch the victory.
Andrew Lord got the scoring started for the Nailers at 7:28 of the 1st period when Tommy Goebel cut in on net and raced through the defense. After getting bumped down Goebel while sliding from his belly was still able to get off a backhander which was turned away by Bombers netminder Tyler Plante but on the right side Lord was there to stuff in the rebound for his 5th goal of the year.
Dayton tied it a few minutes later at 11:26 on the power play with Jim Henkemeyer on the back-door on the right side of the crease firing in the one-timer.
Brian Ewing gave the Bombers the lead early in the 2nd period at just 0:53 when he rifled it in from the left dot perhaps going five-hold on Plante for the lamp-lighter.
The Bombers would tie it again this time with an extra man stemming from a delayed penalty on the Nailers. The 6-on-5 goal would come off the stick of Brian Busniuk from the right dot.
Wheeling was buzzing quite a bit in the Dayton zone throughout the 3rd but the Bombers netminder, Tyler Plante, came through time and time again with several big saves to keep the Nailers out of the net. Then a wild overtime that saw Wheeling with the 2-man disadvantage but the terrific penalty kill stayed strong and held the Bombers at bay. The Nailers penalty kill has allowed just 5 goals in 42 opportunities over the last 5 games. Wheeling's power play went 0 for 5 on the night and continues to slump at 6 for 60 over their last 9 contests.
With the win the Nailers stay all alone in 2nd place in the North Division with a 2 point cushion on the 3rd place Dayton Bombers. Wheeling's record improves to 10-2-5 overall and they stay unbeaten in regulation on the road at 5-0-3. The Bombers fall to a record of 10-5-3.
Wheeling is 2-1-0 against Dayton this year and they play each other a couple more times in a two game series at the Nutter Center in Dayton next weekend on December 5 and 6 in a pair of 7:30 tilts.
The Nailers are back at home on Saturday night, November 29th on a very special night at WesBanco Arena. The Nailers will take on the Elmira Jackals at 7:35 and in pre-game ceremonies it is the inception of the Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame with the initial inductees including Wheeling's all-time leading scorer Darren Schwartz and WAHA founder Bob Otten. The first 2500 fans in attendance receive Darren Schwartz bobblehead dolls courtesy of Main Street Bank.
For more information call the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL or log on at wheelingnailers.com www.wheelingnailers.com.
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ECHL Stories from November 28, 2008
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