Wild KO Rage with 3-Game Sweep: Nichols Sets New Shutout Standard
March 11, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release
DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia - The Wenatchee Wild trounced the Dawson Creek Rage 4-0 Saturday to earn a 3-game road sweep at the Encana Events Center. The win was historic for Wild goaltender Robert Nichols (Dallas, Texas), who stopped all 17 shots he faced to secure his franchise-best ninth shutout.
Nichols surpassed Brandon Jaeger (8) as the Wild's all-time career leader in shutouts. Honored by the NAHL with three weekly star awards this season, Nichols leads the league in goals-against average (1.47) and save percentage (.939). He is also tied for the most shutouts in the league this season.
Nichols got the only goal he would need to earn his 22nd win of the season when Chris Kerr (Penticton, British Columbia) notched his third goal of the 3-game set 9:08 into the first period to crack a scoreless tie. After receiving a breakout pass from Kyle Huson (Parker, Colo.), Kerr and Shawn Pauly (Bellingham, Wash.) crisscrossed entering the offensive zone on a 2-on-2 situation. The crisscross confused the Rage defense and allowed Kerr to skate in on net undefended. He lit the lamp on a 5-hole backhander.
The second period went scoreless, but the Wild doubled their lead 1:52 into the third stanza when Matt Cope (Lakewood, Colo.) picked off a clearing attempt behind the Rage net and tapped the puck past the line for his ninth goal of the season.
The Wild tacked on two power-play goals late in the third period after the Rage were slapped with multiple lengthy penalties for boorish hostilities. Pauly scored the first of those markers during a 5-on-3 situation when he banged in a one-timer from the slot on a feed from Max McHugh (Edgewood, Wash.). Kerr picked up the second assist.
Kerr notched his fourth goal of the series to close out scoring with 3:31 remaining in the contest during a 5-on-4 situation. Kerr and Pauly executed a textbook 2-on-1 for the score. Pauly drew a defenseman toward his side of the ice before sliding a pass to a wide-open Kerr, who put the puck top shelf.
Kerr led the Wild with two goals and an assist. Pauly scored a goal and an assist.
David Readman made 31 saves on 35 shots for the Rage. Wenatchee scored two power-play goals while Dawson Creek went 0-for-2 on the man-advantage.
The Wild (32-15-6) and Rage (9-38-3) will meet again for a 3-game series this weekend at the Town Toyota Center. Game 1 will begin at 7:05 p.m. Friday. Game 2 is also slated for a 7:05 p.m. start Saturday. The series will wrap up at 5:05 p.m. Sunday.
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