Palmer Stymies Nailers in 6-3 Royals Win
December 16, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
JOHNSTOWN, PA- For the second straight Friday, the Nailers put more than 50 shots on goal against the Reading Royals. Unfortunately, they ran into a red hot goaltender for the second week in a row, as Joe Palmer stopped 51 of the 54 shots he faced, helping his squad to a 6-3 victory over the Nailers at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
The two teams battled to a scoreless tie for most of the opening period, until the Royals broke the deadlock with 1:47 remaining. Justin Kemmerer broke in on the left side of the offensive zone, and slipped a pass through the slot to Todd Griffith, who tipped the puck in on the right side of the crease.
Early in the second period, Reading added to the lead. At the 4:40 mark of the frame, Griffith connected for his second of the night, off of a give-and-go with Andrew Favot. 17 seconds later, the visitors found the twine again, as Louis Liotti hammered in a slap shot from the right point. At that point, Peter Delmas exited the contest, giving way to Patrick Killeen. Unfortunately, Killeen wasn't greeted in the kindest of fashions, as the first shot he faced was Yannick Tifu's penalty shot goal. Olivier Labelle gave the Royals a five-goal advantage with 9:48 left in the period, when he deflected in Denny Urban's power play shot from the blueline. With 6:55 left in the middle frame, the Nailers got on the scoreboard, as Paul Crowder banked in a backhand shot from the bottom of the right circle.
At the 1:48 mark of the third period, the Nailers cut into the deficit with their second goal of the evening, as Adam Ross set up Denver Manderson, who drilled in a one-timer from the left circle. With 3:07 remaining, the home team lit the lamp again, with Paul Crowder ripping in a wrist shot from high in the slot. Unfortunately, the Nailers were unable to get any closer, as Yannick Tifu's empty netter put the punctuation on a 6-3 victory for the Royals.
Joe Palmer earned the win in goal for Reading, making 51 saves on 54 shots. Patrick Killeen ended up suffering the loss, after allowing two goals on 11 shots, in relief of Peter Delmas, who left the game after allowing three goals on 11 shots.
The Nailers and Royals will meet up again on Saturday night at Sovereign Center, with puck drop scheduled for 7:05. The next home game for the Nailers will take place on Sunday at 4:05, when they welcome the Chicago Express to WesBanco Arena. For Tickets call the Nailers at 304-234- GOAL or online at shop.wheelingnailers.com.
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