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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Wydo's Hat Trick Leads the Way in Third Period Comeback

March 4, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Cody Wydo of the Wheeling Nailers Scores vs. the Reading Royals
Cody Wydo of the Wheeling Nailers Scores vs. the Reading Royals
(Wheeling Nailers)

READING, PA - Santander Arena hasn't been a fun place to visit over the past few seasons for the Wheeling Nailers, but on Friday night, they put together a comeback that left a very good taste in their mouths. Trailing 3-2 at the start of the third period, the Nailers scored five times in the final stanza, with three of the goals coming from Cody Wydo for his first career hat trick, as Wheeling took down the Reading Royals, 7-4.

The Nailers fell behind when they surrendered the first goal of the game, but rallied to light the lamp twice in the opening stanza, taking a 2-1 lead into the intermission. The Reading tally came at the 7:11 mark, when Brandon Alderson stole the puck in the right circle, then fed Cam Reid for a right circle slap shot, which flew into the right side of the goal. Wheeling answered 2:31 later to even the score. Mathew Maione's right point shot was kicked away by Connor Knapp, but the battle for the rebound was won by Riley Brace, who put the puck on his backhand, slipping a shot through Knapp's legs. 1:24 after that, the Nailers jumped in the lead. Jordan Kwas skated the puck in the trapezoid, where he eventually found James Melindy skating in from the left point. Melindy one-timed the feed into the top-right corner of the net.

As had been the case in their previous two visits, the second period was unkind to Wheeling at Santander Arena. Reading netted the equalizer at the 3:12 mark, when Cam Reid settled down a cross-ice backhand pass by Yannick Tifu, swatting in a shot from the right side of the crease. Then, with 11:45 remaining, the home team retook the lead on a power play goal. Brandon Alderson took a shot from the outer edge of the left circle, which was tipped into the cage by Nikita Kashirsky.

The third period was a completely different story, and it started with the tying goal at 6:13. Mathew Maione threw a pass to Cody Wydo, who turned from the right side of the slot, and whipped a shot into the back of the net. 1:31 later, the Nailers went ahead, when Tyler Biggs settled down a John McCarron pass, then swung a shot past a surprised Knapp in net. With 2:55 left, the guests added a big insurance goal. Riley Brace launched a pass ahead for Wydo, springing him on a breakaway, which he converted, slipping a backhander through the netminder's legs. Reading pulled back within one at the 18:11 mark, but Wheeling wasn't about to be rattled. Wydo finished his hat trick into an empty net at 18:47, then Jordan Kwas completed the five-goal period and 7-4 win with an empty netter in the final minute.

Franky Palazzese registered his eighth consecutive road victory for Wheeling, as he faced a busy night of shots, coming away with 42 saves on 46 attempts. Connor Knapp was the losing goalie for Reading, as he allowed five goals on 30 shots.

The Nailers and Royals will meet again on Saturday at 7:00 from Santander Arena. Wheeling will then play four games at home next week on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Saturday is Duck Dynasty Night, starring Si Robertson, while Sunday is Mascot Mania and Pups 'N Pucks, in which fans can bring their dogs to the game.

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Cody Wydo of the Wheeling Nailers Scores vs. the Reading Royals
Cody Wydo of the Wheeling Nailers Scores vs. the Reading Royals
   

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