ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Royals Pull Away From Nailers in Third

December 8, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


READING, PA - The Reading Royals scored three unanswered goals in the third period to top the Wheeling Nailers, 6-3, Saturday night at Sovereign Center. The Nailers are now 8-11-1-1 on the season while the Royals improve to 14-8-1.

Back-and-forth play in the first period produced a few decent scoring opportunities but no goals as Wheeling edged Reading in the shot total 13-10. The second period was a much different story.

Brett Hemmingway grabbed an early goal just 1:31 into the middle period. The Royals caught the Nailers defense in a change and a long pass from Make Salekin sprung Hemmingway in on goal. His wrist shot slipped past Martin Houle for his seventh goal of the season.

The Nailers responded with Ned Havern's eighth of the season just 1:39 later. As the Royals tried to carry the puck out of their zone, Aaron Clarke stole it away and got the puck to Kevin Croxton. Croxton lofted a pass to Havern alone in front who made a great backhand move to beat Terry Denike and tie the game at one.

At 7:49, Chris Snavely gave Wheeling its first lead of the game. With a faceoff inside the Royals' zone, Michael Handza won the draw to Snavely who ripped a slap shot under the blocker of Denike and into the net. It was the second goal of the season for the native of nearby Lancaster, PA.

Reading would come right back with a pair of special team tallies to shift the lead back to the home team. With Paul Bissonnette and Chris Brooks both in the box with minor penalties, Patrick Hersley took just eight seconds of the two-man advantage to tie the game at two. P.J. Atherton slid the puck across the blue line to Hersley for a one-timer, registering his first of four points on the night.

With the Nailers on the power play, Chris Blight ripped a slap shot past Houle from a sharp angle for a shorthanded goal at 16:55. It was just the second time this season that the Nailers have allowed a goal while on the power play.

Although the Nailers allowed a goal, their power play continued and they were able to capitalize. Jon Foster sent a beautiful pass across the top of the crease to Kyle Rank breaking towards the net for the goal. It was Rank's fifth of the season and Foster's first point, tying the game at three just 1:51 before the end of the second period.

As the third period opened, Reading set the tone with what proved to be the game winner just 29 seconds into the final frame. Hersley's shot from the point banged off a few sticks in front and deflected past Houle for the goal. Blight was credited with his second of the game.

Ned Lukacevic and Bracken Kearns added goals at 9:28 and 13:08 respectively to increase the Royals' lead to three. Kearns goal came on the power play as Reading went two-for-five on the man advantage. Wheeling was one-for-three.

The Nailers return home on Sunday to face the Elmira Jackals at 6:05pm. Kids tickets are available for just $5 all December long and kids can skate with the team and Santa following the game. Call 304-234-GOAL or visit www.wheelingnailers.com for ticketing information.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from December 8, 2007


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