Wings Escape with Late Win, Despite Wheeling Comeback
December 28, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL) - Wheeling Nailers News Release
KALAMAZOO, MI - The Wheeling Nailers and Kalamazoo Wings played an emotional game on Friday night that saw 11 goals and over 100 penalty minutes. Wheeling erased a 4-1 deficit to take a 5-4 lead, but former Nailer Reid Gardiner scored twice in the closing minutes, completing a hat trick, and lifting the Wings to a 6-5 triumph in regulation at Wings Event Center. Alex Rauter had four points, Michael Phillips tallied two goals and an assist, and Cam Brown extended his point streak to 12 for the Nailers.
The first period was an eventful one, as four goals were scored and 34 penalty minutes were handed out. Kalamazoo netted the first three markers of the night, utilizing the man advantage on two of them. Eric Kattelus flicked a wrist shot through a screen on the first goal, then fed Justin Taylor, who turned to his backhand for the second strike. The lone even strength tally was scored by former Nailer Kyle Bushee, who walked into the left circle, where he sniped a shot into the top-right corner. With 1:03 left in the stanza, Wheeling got on the scoreboard with a power play goal of its own. Michael Phillips swatted a pass through the slot for Alex Rauter, who deposited a shot from the right side.
The Wings extended their lead with Reid Gardiner's rebound goal at the 7:32 mark of the middle frame, but the Nailers put together a remarkable surge, scoring three times in 1:09 to draw even. Wheeling went all in, pulling the goaltender while on the power play, and it worked beautifully, as Michael Phillips stashed home a loose puck in the slot. 47 seconds later, Rauter fed Mark Petaccio on an odd-man rush, which Petaccio buried from the right side for his first ECHL goal. 22 seconds after that, Phillips struck for the equalizer, roofing a shot under the crossbar.
The Nailers took their lone lead of the night at the 7:49 mark of the third period. Yushiroh Hirano and Rauter rushed the puck into the offensive zone, and Cedric Lacroix chipped in a shot on the left side of the net. Unfortunately, the lead didn't result in a win, as Gardiner connected from the slot for the equalizer with 5:50 to go, then netted the game winner with a one-timer from the left circle in the closing seconds of regulation.
Jake Hildebrand received the win for Kalamazoo, despite allowing five goals on 34 shots. Matt O'Connor took the defeat for Wheeling, stopping 40 of the 46 shots he faced.
The Nailers will return home on Monday for their annual New Year's Eve game, which is also Star Wars Night. Fans can meet Star Wars characters, the Nailers will wear special jerseys, and there will be a surprise giveaway for the first 2,000 fans. All tickets for New Year's Eve are just $8! 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. For information on season tickets, group tickets, flex plans, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from December 28, 2018
- Steelheads Roll Through Rush with 9-1 Win - Idaho Steelheads
- Solar Bears Blanked by IceMen in 5-0 Decision - Orlando Solar Bears
- Fuel Dispatch First-Place Cyclones for Third Straight Victory - Indy Fuel
- Gardiner's Hat Trick Propels K-Wings Past Nailers - Kalamazoo Wings
- Mavs' Comeback Falls Short in Tulsa - Kansas City Mavericks
- Swamp Rabbits' Comeback Spoiled by 'Blades - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Railers Grab a Point in Physical 3-2 Shootout Road Loss in Portland - Worcester Railers HC
- Wings Escape with Late Win, Despite Wheeling Comeback - Wheeling Nailers
- Oilers Snap Skid on Military Appreciation Night - Tulsa Oilers
- Cyclones Point Streak Snapped in Road Loss - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Wild Win-Iecki: Everblades Hold off Swamp Rabbits for Shootout Victory - Florida Everblades
- IceMen Shutout Bears in 5-0 Rout - Jacksonville IceMen
- McNicholas Leads Mariners to Comeback Win over Worcester - Maine Mariners
- Klima's Last Minute Strike Pushes Norfolk Past Rays - South Carolina Stingrays
- Thunder Fly Past Monarchs by 4-2 Final - Adirondack Thunder
- Monarchs Drop Fourth Straight Game in 4-2 Loss to Thunder - Manchester Monarchs
- Admirals Sting Rays as Norfolk Snaps Winless Streak - Norfolk Admirals
- Royals Overwhelm Growlers 4-1 - Newfoundland Growlers
- Royals Corral First-Place Growlers, 4-1 - Reading Royals
- ECHL Transactions - December 28 - ECHL
- Americans and Grizzlies Game Tonight Is Cancelled Due to Travel Issues - Allen Americans
- Grizzlies December 28th Game Rescheduled - Utah Grizzlies
- Josh Anderson Added to Grizzlies Roster - Utah Grizzlies
- Guillaume Naud Added to Fuel Blue Line - Indy Fuel
- Solar Bears Make Adjustment to Promotional Schedule - Orlando Solar Bears
- Gladiators Acquire Rookie Forward from Wichita - Atlanta Gladiators
- ECHL Announces Fines, Suspensions - ECHL
- Cyclones Game Preview: vs. Indy - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Game Preview: Solar Bears at IceMen - Orlando Solar Bears
- Growlers Sign Brad Barone - Newfoundland Growlers
- Nailers at Wings Game Day Snap Shot, December 28 - Wheeling Nailers
- Milwaukee Admirals Sign Desmond Bergin to PTO - Adirondack Thunder
- Nastasiuk, Sheppard Recalled by AHL's Charlotte Checkers - Florida Everblades
- Penguins Recall Kevin Spinozzi - Wheeling Nailers
- OurSports Central's Plays of the Year - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Game Day: Nailers Come to Town for Middle of Three-In-Three - Kalamazoo Wings
- LaCouvee Loaned to Laval - Maine Mariners
- Game Day: Royals End Break, Host 1st-Place Growlers - Reading Royals
- Tammela Tricks IceMen in 4-3 Solar Bears Win - Orlando Solar Bears
- Quick Start Propels 'Blades to 5-2 Win over Atlanta - Florida Everblades
- Cuddemi, Skinner Pushes Wichita Past Tulsa - Wichita Thunder
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.
