Vanacek Victorious in Game One for Stingrays
May 13, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling Nailers Test South Carolina Stingrays Goaltender Vitek Vanacek
(Wheeling Nailers)
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - The Wheeling Nailers will have to battle back from a game one setback for the first time in the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs. On Friday night, they fell to the South Carolina Stingrays, 3-0 at North Charleston Coliseum, as South Carolina netted two goals in the first period and one in the second. Vitek Vanacek was perfect on 33 shots, backstopping his first shutout of the postseason.
Unlike the first two rounds, the Nailers didn't have the first period they were looking for, as they fell behind South Carolina by a pair. The first tally came shorthanded at the 4:54 mark. David Pacan and Austin Fyten entered the offensive zone 2-on-2, with Pacan serving up a pass for Fyten in the right circle. Fyten took advantage of some extra space, ripping a wrist shot into the top-right corner of the cage. The Stingrays added to their lead with 4:29 remaining. Stephan Vigier flicked a pass to Fyten, who was crashing the front of the net. The initial attempt stayed out, but Jared Staal came in trailing the play, flipping the rebound over Brian Foster's right leg pad.
South Carolina added to its lead with a 4-on-4 goal during the opening minute of period two. Bobby Shea flew in on the right side of the offensive zone, handing off a pass to Joe Devin. Shea then proceeded to wheel his way around the goal, making himself into a passing target in the left circle. Devin slid a feed over, and Shea drilled a one-timer in off of the crossbar.
Neither team found the back of the net in the third period, as the Stingrays killed off three penalties to preserve their 3-0 win.
Vitek Vanacek was perfect in goal for South Carolina, stopping all 33 shots to improve his playoff record to 4-0. Brian Foster received the loss for Wheeling, despite making 26 saves on 29 shots.
The Nailers and Stingrays will play game two in North Charleston on Saturday at 7:05. Wheeling will play games three, four, and five (if necessary) at home on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday (if necessary). Wednesday's game will begin at 7:05, and the two on the weekend are scheduled for 7:35.
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 Wheeling Nailers Test South Carolina Stingrays Goaltender Vitek Vanacek |
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