Royals Defeat Nailers in Front of 3351
March 16, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV - The Nailers put 40 shots on net against the Reading Royals, but it wasn't enough to pull out the win in the first half of a home-and-home. Chris Barton scored the Nailers only goal with help from Andrew Hotham and Matt Schepke.
The first half of the first period flew by with few whistles, and it was the Royals who earned the first power play opportunity of the night. With Peter Merth in the box for interference, the Nailers penalty kill went to work. Ben Farrer had a huge chance with a breakaway. Mark Owuya came out to the left circle, but Yannick Tifu put himself between the puck and the empty net to keep the score at zero.
Minutes later, Kyle Neuber was called for roughing, and the Nailers started in on their first power play of the night. Peter Delmas, the Nailers' Golden Goalie, made a great save and Philip Samuelsson played great defense to prevent the Royals from scoring short-handed. Despite some great chances for both teams, Delmas and Owuya kept the game scoreless going into the second.
The Royals could not capitalize on the first power play of the second period, as Delmas continued to shine in keeping Reading off the scoreboard. That streak came to an end with 7:49 to go in the second when Ray Macias was able to take advantage of a turnover in front of the net. Matt Caruana and Ian O'Connor were awarded assists on the play. With 4:18 to go, the Nailers went on the power play, but they were unable to tie the game. Olivier Labelle gave the Nailers another chance with a man advantage after he was called for holding.
Thanks to Labelle's penalty, the Nailers started the third with 20 seconds remaining on the power play. Reading's penalty kill prevailed, though, and kept the Nailers off the board. Owuya misplayed the puck and left Cam Fergus with an open net, but Fergus missed. Delmas was caught down on the ice and Zack Torquato flew into him, when Chris Doyle was able to score his 19th of the season to give the Royals a 2-0 lead. Assists went to O'Connor and Denny Urban.
Tempers flared a bit with 9:14 to go as a few shoving matches broke out after the whistle. The Royals had a chance with a two-on-one, but Merth made a great sliding play to break up the pass. A boarding call on Tyler Brenner gave the Nailers another chance to cut the lead in half. Samuelsson took a shot from the right circle, but Owuya knocked it away. Despite picking up a rebound, the Nailers were unable to find the back of the net.
Wheeling called a timeout with 1:59 remaining before pulling Delmas for the extra attacker. Barton put a one timer past Owuya to cut the Reading lead in half with help from Hotham and Schepke. The Nailers continued their flurry with an extra attacker, but the Royals kept the puck out of their net to finish off their 2-1 win.
The Nailers take to the road to play Reading Saturday night before heading to Elmira on Sunday. The Nailers then return home next Friday to face off against the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7:35 p.m. For ticket information or to purchase tickets call 304-234-GOAL (4625) or online at shop.wheelingnailers.com. You can now purchase Nailers game tickets on your smartphone by visiting m.wheelingnailers.com.
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