ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Road Warriors Rally for Comeback Win

March 2, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers had the exact start they were looking for on Monday night, but the end result left something to be desired. After taking a 2-0 lead in the opening stanza, the Nailers surrendered the game's next four goals, including two by Andrew Himelson, as the Greenville Road Warriors rallied for the 4-2 victory at WesBanco Arena.

After recording only one shot on goal in the 10:41 played on Sunday, the Nailers had a much different start in Monday's game, picking up 15 shots in the opening stanza, while lighting the lamp twice. The first goal came at the 5:08 mark, when Zack Torquato centered a pass to David Makowski, who reached out with his stick to redirect a shot into the top-right corner of the cage. Later in the frame, the home team added to its advantage. Jean-Sebastien Dea and Riley Brace broke in on a 2-on-1 rush, with Dea keeping the puck to himself, ripping in a shot from the left circle. Paul Cianfrini had the lone assist, after starting the play from his own zone.

Wheeling preserved the two-goal edge until the final minutes of the second period, when the Road Warriors got on the scoreboard with a power play goal. Andrew Himelson dragged the puck across the blueline, before wristing a shot through traffic, which squeezed through Franky Palazzese.

At the 12:01 mark of the third period, Himelson and his teammates pulled even, once again utilizing the man advantage. Vinny Saponari fed the puck to Himelson at the middle of the blueline for a one-time dart, which flew into the left side of the net. With 4:35 remaining, things turned worse for Wheeling, who found itself in a deficit. Sean Escobedo, who was added by Greenville earlier in the day, slipped a pass through the slot to Michael St. Croix, who lifted a shot over Palazzese's left leg from the right side of the crease. A neutral ice turnover led to the final goal of the evening, as Domenic Alberga capped a 4-2 win for the Road Warriors with an empty netter.

Braely Torris was the winning goaltender for Greenville, as he made 31 saves on 33 shots. Franky Palazzese was the busier of the two netminders, as he stopped 38 of the 41 shots he faced for Wheeling, suffering the defeat.

The Nailers will conclude their four-game homestand on Tuesday with a 7:05 contest against the Elmira Jackals.

Tuesday, March 3rd will be the make-up game for the postponed contest from February 16th against the Jackals. Face-off is scheduled for 7:05, and fans will be able to purchase a hot dog and soda combo for $5.

Later on in March, the Nailers will have the Stanley Cup at WesBanco Arena on March 14th, while hosting NASCAR Night on March 28th .

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



ECHL Stories from March 2, 2015


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