Walleye Come Back for 3-2 Win
March 29, 2024 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
TOLEDO, OH- Special teams gave the Wheeling Nailers life, but also took the game away on Friday night, as they battled the Toledo Walleye at Huntington Center. Wheeling scored twice on the power play, but an unsuccessful two-man advantage in the third period led to a tying goal by Toledo in what was ultimately a 3-2 Walleye win on their home ice. Jared Westcott scored his first professional goal for the Nailers, who also got a marker from Jordan Martel.
One goal was scored in the first period, as the Nailers capitalized on their lone power play of the stanza. Wheeling worked the puck around the top of the offensive zone, and David Jankowski ultimately set up Jordan Martel, who wired in a one-timer from the left circle. The Nailers killed off Toledo's lone man advantage, and limited the Walleye to seven shots in order maintain the 1-0 lead.
The two defenses continued to shine in the middle frame, but Toledo broke through for an equalizer while playing shorthanded. Conlan Keenan poked the puck ahead to Dalton Messina, who led his teammate on a 2-on-1 shorthanded rush. Messina kept the puck to himself, and zipped a wrist shot through Garret Sparks' legs from the right circle.
Wheeling's power play struck again in the early stages of the third period to regain the lead. Justin Lee let a shot go from the middle of the blueline, and got a deflection from Jared Westcott on the left side of the crease, as he recorded the first goal of his pro career. The Nailers received a huge opportunity moments later, as back-to-back Walleye penalties created over a minute of 5-on-3 action. Unfortunately, Wheeling came up empty, and 13 seconds after the last penalty expired, Toledo pulled even. Brandon Kruse deposited the rebound of his initial shot from the left side of the crease. With 5:13 left to go, the Walleye took their first lead of the tilt. Matt Anderson drove to the goal and put a shot on net, which created a rebound chance that Kruse whipped into the top-right corner. Lee nearly got some puck left with a shot off the glass and the goaltender's back, but the Nailers were unable to force overtime, as Toledo prevailed, 3-2.
Jan Bednar picked up the win for the Walleye, as he made 22 saves on 24 shots. Garret Sparks suffered the loss, as he stopped 22 of the 25 shots he faced.
The Nailers will continue their three-game road stretch by heading south to Cincinnati on Saturday to face the Cyclones at 7:35. Wheeling will then play the final four games of the regular season at home, with the next one being a Frosty Friday and a second Wrestling Night against Fort Wayne on April 5th. The final Big Six Promotional Game is Fan Appreciation Night on April 13th against Cincinnati. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley.
-Nailers-
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from March 29, 2024
- Americans Drop Another to the Rush 6-3 - Allen Americans
- Rush Blast Americans for 6-4 Win - Rapid City Rush
- Grizzlies Edge Out Steelheads 5-4 Friday Night In Utah - Idaho Steelheads
- Kansas City Mavericks Are the 2024 Mountain Division Champions - Kansas City Mavericks
- Railers Rally to Beat Growlers 3-2 - Newfoundland Growlers
- Thunder Take Down Royals 5-2 - Adirondack Thunder
- Heartlanders Hang Tight at Kansas City, Mavericks Take It, 4-2 - Iowa Heartlanders
- Offense Stymied in Loss at Tulsa - Wichita Thunder
- Kruse, Special Teams Lead Comeback Win Over Nailers - Toledo Walleye
- Fuel Defeat Fort Wayne in OT Thriller - Indy Fuel
- Stingrays Defeat Swamp Rabbits 3-2 in Overtime - South Carolina Stingrays
- Connor Scores First Pro Goal, Royals Routed by Thunder, 5-2 - Reading Royals
- Worcester Stuns Growlers 3-2 on Friday Night - Worcester Railers HC
- Swamp Rabbits Fall in Overtime; Clinch Fourth Straight Playoff Berth - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Walleye Come Back for 3-2 Win - Wheeling Nailers
- Sarlo Scores a Pair in Loss to Lions - Maine Mariners
- Oilers Score in All Three Frames to Defeat Thunder - Tulsa Oilers
- Thunder Take Down Royals 5-2 - Adirondack Thunder
- K-Wings Bark Back, Beat Cyclones 4-1 - Kalamazoo Wings
- Growlers Fall 3-2 to Railers - Newfoundland Growlers
- ECHL Transactions - March 29 - ECHL
- Grizzlies Sign Forward Blake Wells - Utah Grizzlies
- Rush Sign Goaltender Riedell to ATO Agreement - Rapid City Rush
- Game Preview: vs South Carolina - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Gustavs Grigals Reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals - Atlanta Gladiators
- Stingrays Sign Kyler Kupka - South Carolina Stingrays
- Lions Pick up Two Important Points - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Game Notes: March 29 - Allen Americans at Rapid City Rush - Rapid City Rush
- Thunder Ends Road Trip Tonight at Tulsa - Wichita Thunder
- Important Series Continues Tonight in Rapid City - Allen Americans
- Forward Reece Newkirk Assigned to Worcester - Worcester Railers HC
- Papirny Stops 33, Savannah Secures Point in Greenville - Savannah Ghost Pirates
- Royals Clash with Thunder in Two-Game Series against Adirondack - Reading Royals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
