Solar Bears Stump Nailers Again
January 9, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV- One team that has given the Wheeling Nailers troubles over the past four seasons has been the Orlando Solar Bears. Despite leading in five of seven head-to-head meetings, the Nailers have yet to beat their Eastern Conference opponents from Orlando, and unfortunately, the seventh of those games continued the trend on Saturday. TJ Foster broke a 3-3 tie with 6:51 remaining and the visitors added two empty netters for a 6-3 Solar Bears victory at WesBanco Arena.
For the second straight night, the Nailers had things going their way early, as they bagged the game's first goal. Anton Zlobin dished a pass out to Danny Fick on the right side of the blueline. Fick stepped into a shot, finding the back of the net for his first professional tally. As strong as the start was, Orlando still managed to escape the stanza in the lead. Rylan Schwartz potted the equalizer at the 12:26 mark, ripping home a wrist shot from the left side of the slot. 2:46 after that, Brady Vail drove in a one-time rocket from the top of the right circle, putting the Solar Bears ahead, 2-1.
Second periods hadn't treated Wheeling all that well during the homestand, but on Saturday, the Nailers erased their deficit, drawing even. Shortly after a power play had expired, the puck was worked back to the left point, where Brett Stern steered a shot toward the net. Andrew Cerretani got a piece of the puck, tipping it into the cage for his second goal in as many weeks. Shane Bakker picked up his first helper since returning to the lineup, joining Stern, who recorded his first point since early December.
Orlando went ahead in the early stages of the third period, when Mark Louis' wrist shot from the top of the circle flew through traffic and into the back of the net. The Nailers came back to even the score at the 10:59 mark, thanks to a power play tally. Jarrett Burton and Cody Wydo punched the puck ito the crease, where it was dug out by Matia Marcantuoni, who proceeded to roof a shot into the top shelf. With 6:51 to go, the Solar Bears regained their advantage on a tough goal for the home team to swallow. Eric Faille stole a puck in the right corner, feeding TJ Foster, who floated a shot past Brian Foster, after the Wheeling netminder left his crease to try to chase down the dump-in. Former Nailer Denver Manderson and Faille added empty netters for the 6-3 Orlando win.
Ryan Massa won both games in the weekend series for the Solar Bears, making 28 saves on 31 shots in Saturday's tilt. Brian Foster took the loss for Wheeling, surrendering four goals on 18 shots.
The Nailers will conclude their seven-game homestand on Sunday afternoon with a 4:05 face-off against the Indy Fuel. A Family Funday features $5 kids tickets and a post game skate with the team. Other upcoming events include Pittsburgh Pirates Night on January 23rd and Pittsburgh Steelers Night on February 6th.
ECHL Stories from January 9, 2016
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- High Scoring Affair Goes to Tulsa, 6-4 - Wichita Thunder
- Solar Bears Double up Nailers in 6-3 Win - Orlando Solar Bears
- Cyclones Fall in Overtime in Road Trip Finale - Cincinnati Cyclones
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- Wings Topple Beast In Six-Round Shootout - Kalamazoo Wings
- Ouellet's Two Goals and Verpaelst's Overtime Winner Sweep Cincinnati - Norfolk Admirals
- Solar Bears Stump Nailers Again - Wheeling Nailers
- Skapski Backstops Rabbits to 2-1 Shootout Win - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
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- ECHL Transactions - January 9 - ECHL
- Rodewald Recalled from Solar Bears to Marlies - Orlando Solar Bears
- Game Preview: Stingrays at Adirondack, 7:00 p.m. - South Carolina Stingrays
- Nailers vs. Solar Bears Game Day Snap Shot - Wheeling Nailers
- Game Notes- January 9 vs Norfolk - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Monarchs Game Day Capsule - Manchester Monarchs
- Jackals Look to Split Weekend Set against Manchester - Elmira Jackals
- Forward Mike Pereira Loaned to Utica Comets - Reading Royals
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