West Division Shootout: Wild Defeat Avalanche, 3-2
December 30, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release
WENATCHEE, Wash. - Robert Nichols (Dallas, Texas) earnedhis 10th win of the season, and the Wenatchee Wild downed the WestDivision-leading Alaska Avalanche Friday in a shootout, 3-2.
The Wild lit the first lamp ofthe game 11:07 into the first period during the first power play of thecontest. Chris Kerr (Penticton,British Columbia) notched the goal, his 10th of the season, on aone-timer from point blank range off of ShawnPauly's (Bellingham, Wash.) pinpoint pass between two defenders from thegoal line. Max McHugh (Edgewood,Wash.) picked up the second helper.
Alaska managed a 1-1 tie at thefirst intermission when Connor Wright backhanded a loose puck into the cagewith 5:17 left in the first stanza. Joe Schmitz earned the lone assist.
Wenatchee reclaimed the lead,2-1, 9:20 into the second period when MichaelLant (Suwanee, Ga.) notched an unassisted goal from blue line on a snapshot. Wenatchee maintained its one-goal lead until Ross Pavek forced the secondtie of the contest with 6:24 left in regulation. Evan Hesse and Casey Nelsonassisted.
The game was decided in ashootout after a scoreless overtime session. Nichols blanked the Avs in theshootout, and Blake Roubos (NiagaraFalls, Ontario) and Pauly scored for the Wild. Roubos earned the game-winner ona slick last-second deke to the far side of the cage where he finished with ahigh forehand shot. Pauly followed with another late deke and a high forehandshot for the Wild's second score in the shootout.
Nichols made 31 saves on 33 shotsto improve his record to 10-1-3. He also stopped all four of Alaska's shootersin the shootout. Bodhi Engum stopped 20 of the 22 shots he faced for the Avs. TheWild (15-9-4) scored one power play marker on four chances while the Avs (22-9-3)went 0-for-3 on man-advantages.
This weekend's series willconclude Saturday. Faceoff is at 6:05 p.m.
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