ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Wheeling Earns Point In Shootout

Published on October 30, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling, WV - The Nailers earned a valuable standings point at home in a 6-5 shootout loss to the unbeaten Kalamazoo Wings Friday night at WesBanco Arena in the first ever matchup between the two new North Division Rivals. Kalamazoo stays perfect in their first season in the ECHL improving to 6-0.

The Nailers are unbeaten in regulation in their last 2 games with 3 points out of 4 as their record goes to 2-5-1 and their record in shootouts moves to 1-1.

Wheeling got goals from Tom Harrison (1), Kevin Schmidt (1), Aaron Clarke (2), Andrew Lord (2) and Dan Henningson (1) in a balanced attack.

In a wild back-and-forth affair the Nailers overcame a 3-2 deficit to take a 5-3 lead in the 2nd period. Aaron Clarke's shorthanded breakaway goal sparked the 3 goal streak for the Nailers as he tied it at 3-3.

Andrew Lord centered it to the crease and may have banked it off of goalie Jeremy Duchesne for his 2nd goal of the year to give the Nailers the lead at 4-3. Earlier in the game, Lord appeared to have tied it at 1-1 when he shot it off the post and it deflected off the back of Duchesne. Lord was initially credited with that goal but it was changed to Harrison who had knocked it in before it rolled across the line.

Dan Henningson scored his first Nailers goal later in the 2nd period on a nice backhand from the high slot on the power play and Wheeling was in front 5-3 with 7:38 to go in the 2nd period.

But Kalamazoo would storm back with the 2nd goal of the night from Trent Daavetilla pulling the K-Wings to within 5-4 before the 2nd break.

Midway through the 3rd a long rebound off Nailers goalie Adam Berkhoel would find the stick of Will Colbert in the left-wing circle and he would shoot home the game-tyer to make it 5-5.

Both teams had good chances down the stretch to win the game. Wheeling had a power play with 2:30 left in the 3rd. Kalamazoo had a power play with 19 seconds left in overtime shortly after Berkhoel had made a fine glove-save to keep the game tied.

Mitch Ganzak tied the game in the shootout at 1-1 in the 2nd round as he beat Duchesne but no other Wheeling skater was able to light the shootout lamp. Matt Jones won the game in the shootout for the Wings in the 6th round stuffing it in around Berkhoel for the 2-1 score in the shootout and 6-5 final in the game.

Wheeling is back in action Saturday night with our Halloween Party at WesBanco Arena and Safe Trick or Treat before the game. The Nailers take on the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7:35.

The homestand continues for the Nailers the following weekend with Wheeling hosting South Carolina and Johnstown on Friday, November 6 and Saturday November 7. Friday is Family 4-Pack night and Saturday is Team Poster giveaway for the first 2500 fans and Team Autograph night in the WesBanco Club after the game. Call the Nailers for tickets at 304-234-GOAL (4625).

Nailers Notes:

Wheeling head coach Greg Puhalski is the Ohio Valley's newest Dad! His wife is doing well after giving birth to that couple's first child, a healthy baby girl. Zara Katherine Puhalski was born at 7:05 p.m. on October 29th. Nailers broadcaster Bob Rotruck and Nailers Accountant Linda Timberlake also share that birthday. Congratulations Greg!

Scratches for Wheeling in the Friday game included Joey Haddad, Alex Grant, Jordan Fox and Slavomir Tomko.

This was the first of 9 meetings this year between the Nailers and K-Wings. The next matchup will take place when the Nailers make their first trip to Wings Stadium in southwest Michigan on Saturday, December 12th. The K-Wings don't come back to Wheeling until February 6th.

Pro-rated Season tickets are still available for all the exciting Nailers home games at WesBanco Arena. Great season ticket plans are available for every budget. Also take advantage of the Nailers new $87 package for 7 Nailers home games. Call the Wheeling Nailers at (304) 234-GOAL, that's 234-4625. Or log on to wheelingnailers.com for more information.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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ECHL Stories from October 30, 2009


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