ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Rowney's Hat Trick Leads Nailers Romp, 6-2

November 8, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


FORT WAYNE, IN- Carter Rowney has had a strong start to the season, but he saved one of his best performances for Friday night. The rookie forward netted his first professional hat trick, as the Wheeling Nailers exploded for six goals, trouncing the Fort Wayne Komets, 6-2, in front of 7,419 fans at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

A little less than nine minutes into the first period, the Komets struck first, thanks to a bizarre bounce. Brandon Marino threw the puck into the crease from behind the net, banking it off of Mike Condon's right skate. Condon scrambled around to find the loose biscuit, which eventually found its way across the line, putting the home team ahead. However, the Nailers were able to rebound, tying the score in the final minute of the frame. Sahir Gill took the puck out of the left corner, centering a feed for Denver Manderson, who waited out Andrey Makarov, before slipping a shot through his legs, leading to a 1-1 tie after one.

Fort Wayne also scored the first goal in the middle frame, retaking the lead at the 6:43 mark. Moments after leading scorer Mickey Lang was denied by Condon, the puck found its way to John Dunbar, who roofed a shot from the right circle. Wheeling answered 15 seconds later, evening the score. Jack MacLellan carried the puck in on the right side, shoveling a shot five-hole on Makarov. Later in the period, the Nailers jumped on top. With 8:30 to go, Carter Rowney grabbed a loose puck in the left circle, delayed, then snapped a shot inside of the left post. Rowney added his second goal of the contest 15 seconds after that, taking advantage of a loose puck in the slot, which came off of Jake Areshenko's initial try from the left point, as Wheeling carried a 4-2 lead into the second intermission.

Early in the third period, Wheeling kept its foot on the gas pedal, extending the lead to three. Dustin Stevenson dumped the puck off of the right wing wall to Cody Sylvester, who backhanded a pass into the middle for Christiaan Minella. Minella shifted to his backhand, potting his third goal of the season. With 3:17 remaining, the star of the show finished off his memorable night, as Carter Rowney's backhand shot foiled Makarov, giving him his first professional hat trick, and lifting the Nailers to the 6-2 triumph.

Mike Condon earned the win in goal for Wheeling, stopping 30 of the 32 shots he faced. Andrey Makarov took the loss for Fort Wayne, allowing six goals on 32 shots.

The Nailers return to WesBanco Arena on Saturday for a 7:00 face-off against the Reading Royals.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



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