Palazzese, Lerg Star in Goalie Dual at Huntington Center
December 11, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
TOLEDO, OH - There is no questioning who the two star players were at Huntington Center on Friday night, as the Wheeling Nailers and Toledo Walleye met for the first time since last April's epic playoff series. Franky Palazzese and Jeff Lerg combined to shut down 69 of 71 shots by the respective clubs, leading to a 1-1 deadlock through regulation and overtime. AJ Jenks settled the game in the first round of the shootout, as the Walleye came away with the bonus point in a 2-1 win.
After a scoreless first period, the Nailers appeared to open the scoring in the early stages of the middle frame. Mickael Beauregard threw in a wrist shot from the right point, which found the back of the net, but the goal was called off due to Jeff Lerg being interfered with, thus unable to play his position to make an attempt at a save. Moments later, Toledo got on the scoreboard. Austin Wuthrich took a wrist shot from the inner edge of the right circle, lifting it over Franky Palazzese's glove. Ralfs Freibergs also assisted on the Teddy Bear Toss Goal for the Walleye.
Wheeling rallied back to get the equalizer at the 7:07 mark of the third period, while playing on the man advantage. Ty Loney and Mathew Maione played catch at the blueline, with Maione ultimately steering a shot on goal from the center point. Lerg made the save, but the rebound was slipped into the cage by Riley Brace for his ninth marker of the year.
The score remained tied through the rest of the third, as well as through overtime, which featured nine combined shots on goal - five for Toledo and four for Wheeling. After a Nailers miss, AJ Jenks scored in the first round of the shootout for the Walleye, which turned out to be the only time the red light went on, as the visitors proceeded to be unsuccessful on their next two tries.
Both goaltenders were magnificent in earning their teams at least one point. Jeff Lerg stopped 33 of 34 shots, including two breakaways in overtime, while Franky Palazzese turned aside 36 of the 37 shots he faced, including five overtime denials.
The Nailers and Walleye will do battle again at WesBanco Arena on Saturday night at 7:35 on Old Time Hockey Night. Fans are invited to meet the Hanson Brothers from the movie "Slap Shot," the first 2,000 spectators through the gates will receive a team card set from Play it Again Sports and Cipco Solutions, and the entire team will be signing autographs following the game.
ECHL Stories from December 11, 2015
- Thunder Comeback Bid Falls Short in 3-2 Loss to Eagles - Wichita Thunder
- Sheen, Daavettila Stay Hot as Eagles Top Thunder 3-2 - Colorado Eagles
- Rush Down Mallards - Rapid City Rush
- Clarke Lifts Fuel over Komets in Overtime - Indy Fuel
- Mallards' Winning Streak Ends in Rapid City; Stefanovich Hat Trick Propels Rush - Quad City Mallards
- Steelheads Strike Oil - Idaho Steelheads
- Rodewald Gives Solar Bears 3-2 Overtime Win over Swamp Rabbits - Orlando Solar Bears
- IceMen Offense Explodes for Seven Goals in Win over Cyclones - Evansville IceMen
- Cyclones Fall in Front End of Home-And-Home - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Royals Comeback Effort Snags a Hard-Earned Point in Florida, 3-2 - Reading Royals
- Oilers Fall to Idaho, 4-2 - Tulsa Oilers
- Gladiators Win Second Straight, Defeat Stingrays 3-2 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Goaltender Martin Perfect as K-Wings Blank Beast - Brampton Beast
- Swamp Rabbits Earn Point in Overtime Loss - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Palazzese, Lerg Star in Goalie Dual at Huntington Center - Wheeling Nailers
- Road Trip Concludes with 3-2 Loss at Atlanta - South Carolina Stingrays
- Toledo Shoots Down Nailers 2-1 - Toledo Walleye
- Elmira Propels Past Monarchs in Shootout, 2-1 - Elmira Jackals
- Monarchs See Stars, Fall to Elmira, 2-1, in Shootout - Manchester Monarchs
- K-Wings Lasso Beast on Country Night - Kalamazoo Wings
- Admirals Throttle Thunder with 6-1 Victory - Norfolk Admirals
- Vote Now for Greenville's 2015-16 ECHL Fantasy Team Selection - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- ECHL Transactions - December 11 - ECHL
- Cyclones and Hot Head Burritos Announce Power Play Promotion - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Nailers at Walleye Game Day Snap Shot - Wheeling Nailers
- Gameday: Adirondack vs. Norfolk - Adirondack Thunder
- Game Day Capsule: Wichita at Colorado, December 11th - Wichita Thunder
- Langhamer Recalled to AHL - Rapid City Rush
- Americans Take Part in Toys for Tots Collection - Allen Americans
- Elmira Meets Manchester in Star Wars Weekend Episode I - Elmira Jackals
- Mallards Game Day - Quad City Mallards
- Oilers Host Steelheads Tonight at 7:05 p.m. - Tulsa Oilers
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.
