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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Wheeling Nails It Down with Incredible Comeback

April 8, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers have had some of their most dramatic victories in front of huge home crowds this season, and Friday night's result will leave 4,150 fans with a memory that will last for a while. At one point, Wheeling trailed the Reading Royals, 3-0, then closed the gap to 3-2. With less than two minutes to play, the Nailers got the tying and winning goals from John McCarron, as they rallied back, securing a playoff spot with a 4-3 victory at WesBanco Arena. Over 100,000 fans attended home games in 2015-16.

One goal was scored during the first period, and it went to the visitors, who cashed in on a power play with 5:16 remaining. Maxim Lamarche slipped a pass over to Yannick Tifu in the upper portion of the right circle. Tifu let a wrist shot go from just above the face-off dot, finding a spot in the left side of the cage. Cam Reid also assisted on the goal for the Royals, who outshot Wheeling, 13-11 in the opening frame.

In the middle frame, the Nailers suffered a pair of blows on the scoreboard, starting with Maxim Lamarche's center ice drive, which eluded Franky Palazzese for a 2-0 Reading lead. Kevin Young upped his club's advantage to three, when he took a Kevin Sundher pass, and roofed a wrist shot from the right circle. Wheeling began its turnaround with 3:30 left in the stanza, when it converted on a power play to pull within two. Connor Leen's right circle shot was stopped, but Shane Bakker and Ty Loney crashed in for the rebound, with Loney ultimately depositing the marker.

The comeback continued early in the third period, with a second straight goal on the man advantage. Mathew Maione dished a pass over to Clark Seymour, who blazed a one-timer into the left side of the net, pulling the home squad within one. With 1:56 remaining, the roof began to lift off of WesBanco Arena, as the Nailers pulled even. Riley Brace entered the offensive zone, then found John McCarron, whose right circle wrist shot flew into the left corner of the cage. However, McCarron and his Wheeling teammates weren't satisfied with one point, as 57 seconds later, his heroics brought 4,150 fans to their feet for good. Once again, Brace had the helper, leading McCarron to a shot from the left side of the shot, which turned on the red light. Casey DeSmith and the defense closed the door in the final 58.3 seconds, clinching a playoff spot for the Nailers with the 4-3 win.

Casey DeSmith earned the win in relief for Wheeling, stopping all seven shots he faced, after taking over for Franky Palazzese, who went 13-for-16 in the starting role. Adam Morrison played well in the start for Reading, making 26 saves on 28 shots, before leaving the game due to injury. Matt Skoff went in and allowed two goals on 13 shots in the loss.

The Nailers and Royals will conclude the regular season on Saturday night at 7:00 from Santander Arena. Wheeling still has four possible playoff opponents, and dates and times will be announced following Saturday's tilt.

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