GAME DAY 2024-25
Gauthier, Nailers Hold Off Komets, 3-1
Taylor Gauthier backstopped the win with 33 saves
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers and Fort Wayne Komets now play in opposite conferences, but Friday night's tilt at WesBanco Arena felt like a playoff battle. David Jankowski snapped a 1-1 tie at the 3:47 mark of the third period and Kyle Jackson added insurance for a 3-1 triumph on home ice. Taylor Gauthier backstopped the win with 33 saves.
Fort Wayne had a decided advantage in the shots on goal department to the tune of 17-6, but it was the Nailers who netted the lone marker in the opening stanza. The goal was executed with some terrific passing, as Gabe Klassen turned a feed deep to Matthew Quercia, who then setup Matty De St. Phalle for a one-time rocket from the left side of the low slot.
The second period was a reversal of the first, as Wheeling held the 16-8 advantage in shots, but the Komets knotted the score. Zach Jordan led the way on a 2-on-1 rush for the visitors, as he carried the puck in on the left side, then tossed a pass over to Brannon McManus, who chipped a shot into the top-right corner of the cage.
The match came down to the third period, and the Nailers took the first step in the right direction by grabbing the lead back at the 3:47 mark. David Drake sent David Jankowski speeding down the left side of the ice. Jankowski jammed on the brakes in the left circle, then drove a shot into the right side of the twine. Wheeling followed that up by tacking on a huge insurance marker on the power play with 8:45 to go. With newcomer Zach Gallant screening the netminder, Kyle Jackson whizzed a wrist shot from the top of the right circle into the right side of the goal. Fort Wayne was kept at bay from there, as the Nailers took the 3-1 score into the win column.
Taylor Gauthier was terrific in goal again for Wheeling, as he allowed only one goal for his fifth straight start. He stopped 33 of the 34 shots he faced to earn the victory. Brett Brochu made 27 saves on 30 shots in the defeat for the Komets.
The Nailers and Komets will do it all over again at WesBanco Arena on Saturday night at 7:10. The promotion is St. Patrick's Day. Wheeling will wear specialty jerseys, there will be a themed hat giveaway, fans will be able to meet former Pittsburgh Penguin Tyler Kennedy, and there will be drink specials. The weekend will conclude on Sunday at 4:10 against Cincinnati. That will be Faith & Family Day, which features a pregame presentation with players and coaches, as well as a postgame skate with even-numbered players. Individual tickets for 2024-25 home games are available by calling (304) 234-GOAL or visiting wheelingnailers.com. 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.
Brodeur, Thunder Blank Wheeling, 2-0
Taylor Gauthier was outstanding with 35 saves on 36 shots
GLENS FALLS, NY- After an offensive explosion on Saturday night, Sunday afternoon's weekend finale reverted back to Friday night's style, as the Wheeling Nailers and Adirondack Thunder faced off for the final time in 2024-25. Unfortunately for the Nailers, they came up empty in the goal column, despite another sensational performance by Taylor Gauthier. Adirondack's Kevin O'Neil snapped a scoreless draw with 8:08 remaining, and an empty netter was added for a 2-0 final score.
Tempers were calm for the majority of the first two periods, as the two sides focused on trying to find the back of the net. The Thunder held a 26-12 advantage in shots, but the scoreboard remained blank on both sides. With 8:08 left in regulation, the tie got snapped. Kevin O'Neil picked up the puck in the left corner, skated to the low slot, and lifted a shot into the top-right corner of the cage. Things began to get testy with 2:38 left, when both teams had two players receive penalties. Dylan Wendt added an empty netter for Adirondack to make the score 2-0 with one minute to go, and everything went bonkers from there, with penalties and ejections galore.
Jeremy Brodeur picked up his second shutout of the weekend for the Thunder, as he was perfect on 25 shots. Taylor Gauthier was outstanding with 35 saves on 36 shots for Wheeling, and is somehow winless in his last three starts, despite only allowing three goals on 94 shots.
The Nailers will return home for four games this week, beginning with Education Day on Wednesday morning at 10:45 against Trois-Rivières. Friday night is a Frosty Friday with $2 beers at 7:10 against Fort Wayne. The Nailers will clash with the Komets on Saturday at 7:10 as well. That night will be the St. Patrick's Day celebration. There will be a St. Patrick's Day themed hat giveaway, the team will wear specialty jerseys, fans will be able to meet former Pittsburgh Penguin Tyler Kennedy, and there will be drink specials which include green beer. The weekend will conclude with Faith & Family Day on Sunday at 4:10 against Cincinnati, in addition to the traditional post game skate with even-numbered players. Individual tickets for 2024-25 home games are available by calling (304) 234-GOAL or visiting wheelingnailers.com. 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.
Giddy Up! Nailers Spoil Country Night for Thunder
Six different players find the back of the net
GLENS FALLS, NY- One night after coming up empty on the scoreboard, the Wheeling Nailers turned things around in a big way at Cool Insuring Arena. Six different players found the back of the net, led by Matty De St. Phalle and Gabe Klassen, who both returned from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton earlier in the day. De St. Phalle was one of five Nailers with multiple points, and that list included Cole Tymkin, who became the first Wheeling player to record a Gordie Howe Hat Trick (goal, assist, fight) this season. The Nailers spoiled a sellout crowd of 5,426 for the Adirondack Thunder with a 6-4 triumph.
Adirondack opened the scoring less than two minutes into the contest, but the Nailers shook that off and had a strong end of the first period to take a 2-1 lead into the intermission. Greg Smith netted that first marker for the Thunder at the 1:40 mark, as he took a Dylan Wendt pass in the low slot, and slid a wrist shot in along the ice. Wheeling got some puck luck on the equalizer. Cole Cameron carried the puck down the right wing wall and threw a shot toward the net. The puck bounced off of an Adirondack skate and dribbled in over the goal line. With less than one minute remaining, the Nailers took the lead. Matt Koopman scooped a pass to the left side of the slot, where Cole Tymkin thrusted a wrist shot into the left side of the cage.
Wheeling kept things rolling in the right direction with three more goals in the middle frame. Matty De St. Phalle returned from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton earlier in the day, and he was more than ready to make a big impact. At the 2:14 mark, he tipped a Phip Waugh pass up and over Jeremy Brodeur's left shoulder to put the visitors ahead by three. Just over four minutes later, the Nailers put a fourth tally on the board. Louie Roehl launched a pass from his own zone to the offensive blueline to send Kyle Jackson on a breakaway. Jackson converted the chance by ripping in a low wrist shot. The Thunder temporarily pulled within two on Ryan Wheeler's power play wrist shot from the left circle, before Wheeling struck again with 1:17 on the clock. De St. Phalle sent the other returning Nailer, Gabe Klassen, in alone, and Klassen cashed in by faking to his backhand, which he lifted into the right side of the twine.
Wheeling tacked on one more insurance goal in the third, as Tymkin completed his Gordie Howe Hat Trick by setting up Matt Koopman to bury a shot from the left side on a 2-on-1 break. Adirondack tallied twice between that strike and the finish line, as Jackson van de Leest scored on the power play, then Isaiah Fox netted the first goal of his pro career. That made the final score 6-4 in favor of the Nailers.
Jaxon Castor made his first start in 20 days and was victorious in the Wheeling crease, as he stopped 23 of the 27 shots he faced. Jeremy Brodeur gave up six goals on 33 shots in the loss for the Thunder.
The Nailers and Thunder will wrap up their season series on Sunday at 3:00. Wheeling will follow that up with four straight home games, beginning with Education Day on Wednesday morning at 10:45 against Trois-Rivières. Friday night is a Frosty Friday with $2 beers at 7:10 against Fort Wayne. The Nailers will clash with the Komets on Saturday at 7:10 as well. That night will be the St. Patrick's Day celebration. There will be a St. Patrick's Day themed hat giveaway, the team will wear specialty jerseys, fans will be able to meet former Pittsburgh Penguin Tyler Kennedy, and there will be drink specials which include green beer. The weekend will conclude with Faith & Family Day on Sunday at 4:10 against Cincinnati, in addition to the traditional post game skate with even-numbered players. Individual tickets for 2024-25 home games are available by calling (304) 234-GOAL or visiting wheelingnailers.com. 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.
Goaltending Clinic Goes to Thunder, 1-0 in OT
Perfect in regulation, 62 shots, #63 in OT was the dagger
GLENS FALLS, NY- Friday night at Cool Insuring Arena was a goaltending clinic between Taylor Gauthier of the Wheeling Nailers and Jeremy Brodeur of the Adirondack Thunder. The two netminders weren't only outstanding - they were perfect in regulation, as not a single one of 62 shots turned on the red light. That changed in overtime, when Greg Smith delivered a 1-0 win for the Thunder.
The tilt started with a bang, as Cole Tymkin and Kishaun Gervais shed gloves and helmets just 1:56 into play. The Nailers had the better of the play in the first period with a 15-6 shots advantage, which included a breakaway by leading scorer Kyle Jackson. Adirondack began to chip away in the shots during the second and third, but pucks continued to stay out of the twine. Wheeling's penalty kill was one of the strong points once again, as the team denied all four opposition chances, and nearly won the game in the closing seconds of regulation. The Nailers were called for too many men on the ice with 2:09 remaining, and not only killed it, but sent Logan Pietila on a shorthanded breakaway with 30 seconds on the clock.
Overtime was decided by one shot in 1:32. Wheeling turned the puck over in the offensive zone, which sent the Thunder on a 2-on-1 break. Andre Ghantous tossed a pass across to Greg Smith, who roofed his shot from the right side of the slot to give Adirondack the 1-0 victory.
Jeremy Brodeur returned from the AHL's Utica Comets and was perfect on 34 shots in the shutout win for the Thunder. Taylor Gauthier was fantastic for the Nailers, as he stopped 28 of the 29 shots he faced.
This marked the tenth time in team history that Wheeling played in a game that was 0-0 after regulation.
The Nailers and Thunder will continue their series in Glens Falls on Saturday night at 7:00. Wheeling's next home game is Education Day on Wednesday morning at 10:45 against Trois-Rivières. The Nailers will also have three home games next weekend on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Friday night is a Frosty Friday with $2 beers at 7:10 against Fort Wayne. Wheeling will clash with the Komets on Saturday at 7:10 as well. That night will be the St. Patrick's Day celebration. There will be a St. Patrick's Day themed hat giveaway, the team will wear specialty jerseys, fans will be able to meet former Pittsburgh Penguin Tyler Kennedy, and there will be drink specials which include green beer. The weekend will conclude with Faith & Family Day on Sunday at 4:10 against Cincinnati, in addition to the traditional post game skate with even-numbered players. Individual tickets for 2024-25 home games are available by calling (304) 234-GOAL or visiting wheelingnailers.com. 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.
Maine Prevails in Shootout, 2-1
Louie Roehl's First Goal as Captain Earns Wheeling a Point
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers got one of each result on the weekend, and they picked them up in order. Wheeling won Friday, lost Saturday, and fell in a shootout on Sunday afternoon by a 2-1 score against the Maine Mariners at WesBanco Arena. Louie Roehl scored to tie the game in the third period for Wheeling and Taylor Gauthier made 28 saves, but Maine scored on two of three shootout attempts to skate away with the bonus point.
Neither team got on the scoreboard in the first period, which saw Maine hold an 10-8 advantage in shots. The deadlock was finally snapped at the 12:56 mark of the middle frame, and unfortunately, it was the visitors who did so, as a pair of former Nailers connected for the goal. Brooklyn Kalmikov carried the puck deep on the left side, before banking a pass off of a Wheeling skate and into the slot. That's where Wyllum Deveaux slid a shot into the left side of the twine.
The Nailers were able to claw back with an equalizer at the 3:25 mark of the third period. Louie Roehl stepped into the top of the right circle and drove a shot into the left side of the cage.
Both teams had glorious chances to decide the match, as Wheeling received a power play with 3:49 left in regulation, and Maine went a man up at 3:48 of overtime. However, the score stayed 1-1, and a shootout was necessary.
The shootout belonged to the Mariners. Brooklyn Kalmikov lifted a backhander under the crossbar on the opening shot, and Sebastian Vidmar closed the contest with a chip up into the top-left corner. Logan Pietila and David Jankowski were unsuccessful on their attempts for the Nailers.
Brad Arvanitis backstopped the win for Maine, as he turned away 30 of 31 shots during the game, in addition to both shootout tries. Taylor Gauthier stopped 28 of 29 shots during the game, then went 1-for-3 in the shootout for Wheeling.
The Nailers will spend next weekend on the road in Glens Falls, New York, where they will face the Adirondack Thunder for three games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Wheeling will then return home the following week for four games, starting with Education Day against Trois-Rivières on March 12th at 10:45 a.m. That will be followed by a Frosty Friday against Fort Wayne on March 14th at 7:10, St. Patrick's Day on March 15th at 7:10 against Fort Wayne, and Faith & Family Day on March 16th at 4:10 against Cincinnati. Individual tickets for 2024-25 home games are available by calling (304) 234-GOAL or visiting wheelingnailers.com. 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.
Fast First Paces Adirondack, 7-4
White & Tymkin Record First Pro Points for Nailers
WHEELING, WV- The first period was the story of Saturday night's Battle Royale at WesBanco Arena, as the Wheeling Nailers and Adirondack Thunder went at it for the second straight match. Adirondack scored five of its seven goals in the opening 18:41 of what turned out to be a 7-4 win. James White and Cole Tymkin both registered the first points of their professional careers for the Nailers in front of a crowd of 3,449.
The first period was filled with goals. Unfortunately, the majority of them were scored by the Thunder, who exploded for a 5-2 lead. The opening strike came just 61 seconds into play, when Brendan Less slipped a pass through to Josh Filmon, who chipped in an open shot from the left circle. 2:57 later, Adirondack went ahead by two. Andre Ghantous came off of the right wall and powered the puck into the crease, where it bounced off of teammate Ryan Francis and dribbled in over the line. The Nailers got on the scoreboard thanks to their power play. Matthew Quercia's third whack at a loose puck deflected off of a Thunder defender and trickled its way inside of the right post. Adirondack had an answer that in a matter of 1:19. Ryan Nolan's initial attempt was thwarted, but Kishaun Gervais swept the rebound in on the left side. Kyle Jackson brought Wheeling within one for a second time with 4:18 to go, when he tapped in a Logan Pietila pass at the top of the crease. Two more Thunder markers followed, as the visitor lead increased to three. Ryan Wheeler tucked the rebound of Less' shot inside of the right post, then a scramble around the crease resulted in Grant Loven getting credit for his club's fifth of the stanza.
Both sides added one to their totals in the middle frame. Wheeling was the first to do so at the 4:35 mark. Peter Laviolette whipped a wrist shot from the right circle, which produced a rebound for Chrystopher Collin to deposit home from the left side. James White recorded the secondary assist for his first point as a pro. The Thunder got their goal from the crease, where T.J. Friedmann tipped a Greg Smith feed into the right side of the twine.
Eli Lieffers put one more up for the Nailers with 5:24 remaining, when he touched in the centering feed of Cole Tymkin's first professional point. Adirondack's Friedmann was the only player with multiple goals on the night, and his empty netter put the finishing touches on a 7-4 score.
Tyler Brennan picked up the win for the Thunder, as he made 34 saves on 38 shots. Sergei Murashov surrendered six goals on 32 shots in the loss for Wheeling.
The Nailers will finish off their six-game homestand on Sunday afternoon at 4:10, when they challenge the Maine Mariners. Following the game, fans will have the opportunity to skate with the odd-numbered players. Other exciting upcoming promotions include St. Patrick's Day on March 15th, Black & Gold Night with Ryan Shazier on March 29th, and the next Big-6 Promotional Night - Wizards & Wands on April 5th. Individual tickets for 2024-25 home games are available by calling (304) 234-GOAL or visiting wheelingnailers.com. 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.
Nailers Top Thunder, 3-1
Wheeling Wins Louie Roehl's Debut as New Team Captain
WHEELING, WV- Wheeling Nailers fans were inches away from witnessing history on Friday night, but they still had plenty of celebrating to do at WesBanco Arena, as their team picked up a 3-1 victory in the weekend opener against the Adirondack Thunder. Chrystopher Collin notched the eventual game winning goal as well as an assist, and Sergei Murashov turned aside 24 of 25 shots.
The game started out with a bang, as Wheeling's Matthew Quercia and Adirondack's Darian Skeoch threw off the gloves and helmets for a fight just five seconds into play. Despite being a scoreless first period, both teams had opportunities, as shots on goal favored the home side, 13-11.
The deadlock was ultimately broken by the Nailers at the 4:52 mark of the middle frame. Chrystopher Collin sent Cole Cameron in with a step on his defender on the right side of the offensive zone. Cameron skated to a great shooting position in the right circle, and ripped a shot into the left side of the cage.
Midway through the third period, Wheeling added an insurance tally at the time, but what turned out to be an even bigger goal in the end. Mats Lindgren tossed in a wrist shot from the left point, which got blocked. However, the rebound kicked out to Collin, who got dropped to his knees moments earlier by a cross check, and was able to swipe in the loose puck from that very spot. The Nailers came inches away from a 3-0 lead and a piece of history, as Sergei Murashov's empty net bid trickled wide through the right side of the crease. Adirondack proceeded to close the gap to one with 35 seconds left, when Grant Loven tipped in Ryan Conroy's shot from the center point. Kyle Jackson closed out the 3-1 Wheeling win with an empty netter in the last second of the game.
Sergei Murashov saw his shutout streak reach 132:33 before the late goal, and he finished the night with 24 saves on 25 shots in the winning effort for the Nailers. Colby Muise stopped 37 of the 39 shots he faced in the Thunder crease.
The Nailers and Thunder will do battle in Wheeling again on Saturday night at 7:10, which is the next Big-6 Promtional Game - Battle Royale. There will be a video game arcade in the main lobby and themed activities throughout the night. On Sunday at 4:10, the Maine Mariners will be the opponent, and following the game, fans will be able to skate with the odd-numbered players. Individual tickets for 2024-25 home games are available by calling (304) 234-GOAL or visiting wheelingnailers.com. 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.
Wheeling Comeback Falls Short, 3-2
Quercia & Jankowski Score for Nailers, Who Play Three More at Home Next Weekend
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers threw everything they had at the net during the second and third periods of Sunday's weekend finale against the Reading Royals. Unfortunately, they were unable to recover from a slow start, and Reading held on for a 3-2 road win at WesBanco Arena. Matthew Quercia and David Jankowski scored Wheeling's goals against Vinnie Purpura, who made 34 saves for the Royals.
The first period belonged to Reading, who outshot the Nailers 11-3 and scored twice. The goals came 1:21 apart from each other, starting at the 8:52 mark. The Royals won an offensive zone face-off, and maneuvered the puck over to Connor Walters at the right point. Walters skated all the way in to the right face-off dot, where he drove a shot into the bottom-left corner of the cage. The second strike came off of a turnover, as Joseph Nardi scooped up a loose puck, and set up Matt Brown for a one-timer from the left circle.
Wheeling started to turn things around in the middle frame. The Nailers appeared to close the gap to one, when David Drake's wrist shot flew into the top-right corner of the net. However, the play was reviewed, and the tally came off the board. That seemed to fire up the home squad, who proceeded to pour 18 shots on goal, with one of them turning on the red light. Matthew Quercia wrapped the puck around the cage and attempted to stuff it in on the right side. His first attempt was stopped, but he succeeded on his second try.
The momentum from the second period was temporarily quelled in the early stages of the third, when Reading scored its third goal of the contest. Wheeling turned the puck over in neutral ice, and Austin Master took advantage by snapping in a wrist shot from the left circle on a 2-on-1 break. Wheeling did pull back within one on the power play, as David Jankowski tipped a Jordan Martel feed up and into the top-right corner of the net. The Nailers continued to pressure with 15 shots in the final stanza, but were unable to find a tying tally, and the Royals prevailed, 3-2.
Vinnie Purpura shined in goal for Reading, as he turned away 33 of the 35 shots he faced. Taylor Gauthier made 19 saves on 22 shots in the defeat for the Nailers.
The Nailers will play three more home games next weekend. The weekend will begin with a Frosty Friday against the Adirondack Thunder at 7:10. Adirondack will stay in town for another 7:10 match-up on Saturday, which is also the first ever Battle Royale. There will be a commemorative hockey puck giveaway, a video game arcade in the main lobby, and themed activities throughout the night. Finally, on Sunday at 4:10, the Maine Mariners will be the opponent, and following the game, fans will be able to skate with the odd-numbered players. Individual tickets for 2024-25 home games are available by calling (304) 234-GOAL or visiting wheelingnailers.com. 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.
Murashov Top Dog in 2-0 Wheeling Win
Eli Lieffers' First Pro Goal is Game Winner
WHEELING, WV- Sergei Murashov has had a phenomenal first professional season in North America, and Saturday night at WesBanco Arena may have been one of his best performances yet. Murashov denied all 42 shots sent his way by the Tulsa Oilers, as he backstopped the Wheeling Nailers to a 2-0 home triumph. Eli Lieffers scored his first professional goal to put Wheeling ahead, and Mats Lindgren added the insurance tally.
The Nailers had an electric start, as the first period saw two goals for the home side, two fights, plenty of huge hits, and a clutch save. The opening marker came from a new face at the 7:16 mark. Aidan Sutter let a wrist shot go from the left point, which was tipped into the cage by Eli Lieffers for his first professional goal in his second game with the club. The assist was Sutter's first point as a pro. Just over a minute later, Phip Waugh threw down the gloves with Cade McNelly, then Cole Tymkin challenged Mike McKee, following a boarding penalty on McKee. Wheeling cashed in on the power play from the board, as Mats Lindgren lofted a center point wrist shot up and into the top-left corner of the goal.
As it turned out, those were the only two goals that were needed to get back into the win column, as the Nailers received an elite goaltending performance. Tulsa outshot Wheeling 18-2 in the second and 14-6 in the third, but the net was not open for business, and the home side was victorious, 2-0.
Sergei Murashov was absolutely sensational in goal for the Nailers, as he was perfect on 42 shots to earn his second shutout of the season and first with Wheeling. Luke Lush made 22 saves on 24 shots for the Oilers.
The Nailers will wrap up the weekend on Sunday at 4:10 against Reading. Following the game, fans will have the opportunity to skate with the even-numbered players. Wheeling will play three home games next weekend as well, as divisional opponents Adirondack and Maine visit WesBanco Arena. The highlight game of next weekend is Battle Royale on Saturday, March 1st at 7:10. There will be a video game arcade in the main lobby, a theme puck giveaway, and themed activities throughout the night. Individual tickets for 2024-25 home games are available by calling (304) 234-GOAL or visiting wheelingnailers.com. 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.
Lush Blanks Nailers for First Pro Win
Murashov Stops 30 for Wheeling
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers struggled to find their offense on Friday night at WesBanco Arena, as they opened a six-game homestand. The visiting Tulsa Oilers scored once in each period and got 17 saves from Luke Lush for a 3-0 win.
One goal was scored in the opening stanza, as the Oilers struck first at the 13:22 mark. Tyler Poulsen skated in on the right side of the offensive zone, and zipped a quick wrist shot into the right side of the twine.
Tulsa added to its lead at the 4:01 mark of the middle frame. Cade McNelly's attempt from the left point got tipped through the slot by Mike McKee, and ended up finding an open Justin Michaelian on the right side of the crease. Michaelian took advantage of the space and tucked the biscuit into the basket.
Reid Petryk tacked on one more for the Oilers, as he roofed a shot from the left circle at 6:52 of the third for a 3-0 final score.
Luke Lush was perfect on 17 shots to earn his first professional win and shutout for Tulsa. Sergei Murashov made 30 saves on 33 shots in the defeat for Wheeling.
The Nailers and Oilers will meet up again in Wheeling on Saturday night at 7:10. That will be the annual Pups & Pucks Night, in which fans can bring their dogs to the game. Fans can also meet The Cat in the Hat, courtesy of PBS Kids. Wheeling will play at home on Sunday as well, as Reading comes to town for a 4:10 tilt. Following the game, fans will be able to skate with the even-numbered players. The next Big-6 Promotional Night is next Saturday, March 1st, which is Battle Royale. Individual tickets for 2024-25 home games are available by calling (304) 234-GOAL or visiting wheelingnailers.com. 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.
Greenville Hangs on for 2-1 Win
Kyle Jackson Scores Lone Nailers Goal in 100th Pro Game
GREENVILLE, SC- Typically a southern trip is exciting news for cold weather clubs, but the Wheeling Nailers are looking forward to getting back home, following a tough trip through the State of South Carolina. Two goals in a span of 1:15 made the difference on Monday afternoon, as the Greenville Swamp Rabbits edged Wheeling, 2-1 at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Kyle Jackson scored the lone goal for the Nailers in his 100th professional contest.
The two sides played a scoreless first period, while Wheeling controlled the majority of the action with a 9-5 shots advantage. The middle frame was a different story, particularly in the back half, as the Swamp Rabbits put 20 shots on goal and saw two of them go in. The opening strike came on the power play. Miles Gendron slid a pass to the right circle, where Quinn Olson launched a one-timer into the right side of the twine. 1:15 later, Carter Savoie jammed a shot from the slot just inside of the left post.
The Nailers gave themselves a chance to tie the game, as they pulled within one at the 2:58 mark of the third period. A scrambly play resulted in Kyle Jackson wiring in a slap shot from the left circle. Unfortunately, that tying tally never came to fruition, and Greenville prevailed, 2-1.
Dryden McKay backstopped the win for the Swamp Rabbits, as he blocked away 24 of the 25 shots he faced. Sergei Murashov had another great game in the Wheeling crease with 30 saves on 32 shots, but came up on the wrong side of the end result.
The Nailers will play their next six games at home, beginning with a Frosty Friday on February 21st at 7:10 against Tulsa. Wheeling will do battle with Tulsa again on Saturday the 22nd at 7:10 for Pups & Pucks Night, which will also feature an appearance by The Cat in the Hat courtesy of PBS Kids. The next Big-6 Promotional Game is Battle Royale on Saturday, March 1st. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Rabbits Hop Over Nailers, 5-2
Wheeling Looks to Salvage Trip in Throwback Rematch Monday
GREENVILLE, SC- The Wheeling Nailers will have one more try to take a win home from their Southern trip, as they fell 5-2 to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Sunday afternoon at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Greenville got two goals and two assists from Carter Savoie, as well as three-point days by Kaleb Lawrence and Dru Krebs. Wheeling's goal scorers were Gabe Klassen and Kyle Jackson.
The first period wasn't what the Nailers had in mind, as Greenville potted a pair of markers. The first goal came off the rush just 2:38 into the match, as Quinn Olson sprung Carter Savoie up the left side of the ice. Savoie made his way to the bottom of the left circle, where he chipped a shot into the left side of the net. The Swamp Rabbits put another on the board with 5:08 remaining. Parker Berge tossed a shot on goal from the right point, which produced a rebound for Kaleb Lawrence to slide home.
The score stayed 2-0 for most of the second period, before the teams combined for three strikes in the final five minutes. Greenville temporarily went up by three, when Savoie snagged a loose puck on the right side of the crease, which he stuffed inside of the right post. The Nailers answered that goal just 26 seconds later. Gabe Klassen sped into the slot, where he roofed a wrist shot into the top-right corner of the cage. Then, with under one minute to go, Matty De St. Phalle entered the offensive zone on a rush, but paused and waited for his teammates to join him. That decision paid off in a big way, and resulted in Kyle Jackson poking in a loose puck on the right side of the slot.
Unfortunately, the momentum didn't carry into the third period, as the Swamp Rabbits reestablished a two-goal advantage at the 1:33 mark. The tally came on an odd-man rush, as Lawrence carried the puck in down the middle, passed left to Savoie, who then dished to a trailing Miles Gendron for a one-timer into the bottom-right part of the goal. Wheeling thought it may have pulled within one, when David Jankowski deposited the rebound of Louie Roehl's initial attempt. However, video review took the goal off the board for goaltender interference. Quinn Olson added a breakaway strike to put the finishing touches on the 5-2 final for Greenville.
Jacob Ingham got the win for the Swamp Rabbits, as he denied 31 of the 33 shots he faced. Jaxon Castor made 31 saves on 36 shots in the defeat for the Nailers.
The Nailers and Swamp Rabbits will change their identities on Monday for their 4:05 series finale. Wheeling will play as the Carolina Thunderbirds, while Greenville will suit up as the Johnstown Chiefs. The Nailers will then play six straight home games, beginning with a Frosty Friday on February 21st at 7:10 against Tulsa. Wheeling will do battle with Tulsa again on Saturday at 7:10 for Pups & Pucks Night, which will also feature an appearance by The Cat in the Hat courtesy of PBS Kids. The next Big-6 Promotional Game is Battle Royale on Saturday, March 1st. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Testy Tussle Goes to Stingrays, 3-1
Teams Combine for 122 Penalty Minutes in Only Head-to-Head Meeting
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC- The Wheeling Nailers and South Carolina Stingrays played an emotional game on Saturday night at North Charleston Coliseum, which featured over 100 penalty minutes, in addition to dazzling goaltending. David Jankowski's shorthanded goal put Wheeling ahead in the first period, but back-to-back goals by the Stingrays turned things around in the middle frame, and South Carolina ultimately prevailed, 3-1.
Despite it being the only meeting between the teams, the first period set the tone for a physical night. A goal was also mixed into that stanza, as the Nailers opened the scoring. Louie Roehl slid a pass ahead to David Jankowski, whose defender fell as Wheeling exited the defensive zone. That gave Jankowski a two-zone breakaway, which he converted by lifting a shot up and into the top-right corner of the net.
The middle frame went off the rails. But before it got there, South Carolina evened the score by capitalizing on a Wheeling turnover. Charlie Combs had his initial attempt thwarted, but Kyler Kupka squeezed the rebound between Sergei Murashov's left pad and the post. Less than two minutes later, craziness erupted, with three players on each teams receiving misconducts, as well as the Nailers being forced to kill off a five-minute penalty. While Wheeling was successful in killing that penalty, the Stingrays did pull ahead with an even strength goal later in the period. Combs led Tyler Weiss into the right circle, where he roofed a wrist shot into the top-left corner of the cage.
The temperature of the match settled down drastically to the tune of one penalty being called in the third period. The Nailers put 11 shots on goal in the stanza, but couldn't find a tying tally, as Weiss' second of the night capped off a 3-1 final for South Carolina.
Garin Bjorklund got the win for the Stingrays, as he stopped 27 of the 28 shots he faced. Sergei Murashov delivered a great performance in goal for Wheeling, as he made 35 saves on 37 shots.
The Nailers will continue their weekend in the Palmetto State by traveling to Greenville, where they will face the Swamp Rabbits on Sunday at 3:05 and Monday at 4:05. Wheeling will play three home games next weekend on February 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. Friday the 21st is a Frosty Friday at 7:10 against the Tulsa Oilers. Saturday the 22nd at 7:10 against Tulsa is Pups & Pucks and fans can meet The Cat in the Hat. Sunday the 23rd at 4:10 against Reading will feature a post game skate with even-numbered players. The next Big-6 Promotional Game is Battle Royale on Saturday, March 1st. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Party Hard on Penguins Night
Jordan Martel Nets Game Winner, as Wheeling Earns 30th Victory
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers looked great in multiple ways on Saturday night at WesBanco Arena, as they celebrated Pittsburgh Penguins Night with a 4-3 triumph over the Reading Royals in specialty jerseys. Jordan Martel scored the eventual game winning goal on the power play at the 3:02 mark of the third period, and was the lone Wheeling player with multiple points. Jaxon Castor made 23 saves to earn his first victory since November 16th.
The Nailers had an explosive start to the night, as they scored twice in the first period, while holding a 16-7 advantage in shots. The opening tally came off of an offensive zone face-off win. Gabe Klassen dipped beneath the left circle, then proceeded to snipe a wrist shot into the top-left corner of the twine. Wheeling added to its advantage 2:05 later. Logan Pietila stole a pass in center ice, drove in on the right side, and got just enough on his shot to send it trickling over the goal line.
Reading pushed back a bit in the middle frame, but the margin remained two, as both teams lit the lamp once. The Nailers got their goal at the 5:54 mark. Jordan Martel sent Kyle Jackson on a breakaway, and Jackson converted, as he turned to his backhand, and lifted a shot into the right side of the cage. The Royals got on the scoreboard with 2:25 remaining. Robert Calisti and Matt Brown went on a 2-on-1 rush, which ended with Calisti feeding Brown for a marker from the left side of the slot. Period two also featured a fight, as Cole Cameron dropped the gloves with Connor Walters.
The third period began with a Reading strike, as Calisti pinged a shot in off of the left post from the right circle. Less than three minutes later, Wheeling got a big goal on its lone power play of the night. Jordan Martel sliced through the defense and lifted a shot into the top-right corner of the net. That turned out to be the game winner, as Tyler Gratton tipped in a Robbie Stucker point shot with 1:36 remaining to make the score 4-3.
Jaxon Castor was the winning goaltender for the Nailers, as he denied 23 of the 26 shots he faced. Vinnie Purpura took the loss for the Royals, as he made 22 saves on 26 shots.
The Nailers will spend next weekend on the road, as they will visit the South Carolina Stingrays on Saturday at 6:05, then the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Sunday and Monday. Wheeling will play three home games the following weekend on February 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. Friday the 21st is a Frosty Friday at 7:10 against the Tulsa Oilers. Saturday the 22nd at 7:10 against Tulsa is Pups & Pucks and fans can meet The Cat in the Hat. Sunday the 23rd at 4:10 against Reading will feature a post game skate with even-numbered players. The next Big-6 Promotional Game is Battle Royale on Saturday, March 1st. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Quick on the Attack to Win in Indy
Wheeling Scores Two Pairs of Goals in Less Than 30 Seconds, Including Two Shorties
FISHERS, IN- The Wheeling Nailers scored in bunches on Friday night, as they got the weekend started off on a great note with a 6-3 triumph over the Indy Fuel at Fishers Event Center. Wheeling scored two shorthanded goals in a span of 29 seconds during the second period, then lit the lamp twice in a span of 16 seconds in the third. Matty De St. Phalle was the top offensive performer for the Nailers, as he notched two goals and an assist.
The Nailers controlled the majority of the play in the first period with a 12-4 shots advantage, but found themselves trailing at intermission, as Indy beat the buzzer with the game's opening goal. Kyle Maksimovich carried the puck in on the right side of the offensive zone, then cut to the middle of the ice, where he chipped a shot into the top-right corner of the net with less than one second remaining.
Wheeling let that late goal roll right off the shoulder, and the visitors took charge with three goals in the opening six minutes of the middle frame. After a couple of stellar stops by Fuel goaltender Ben Gaudreau, the Nailers broke through with the equalizer. Chrystopher Collin took a pass from Peter Laviolette, and lifted in a shot from the left side of the slot. The game took a remarkable turn in the minutes that followed, as Wheeling's David Drake received a holding penalty. However, Wheeling scored twice on that same penalty kill to go ahead by a pair. Matt Koopman netted the go-ahead marker, as he took a lead pass from David Jankowski, broke away, and flipped a backhander into the top-right corner. 29 seconds later, Gabe Klassen got a breakaway of his own, and he also raised the roof by lifting a wrist shot up and under the crossbar.
The Nailers put the game away early in the third period with two more quick strikes. Kyle Jackson slithered a left circle shot through Gaudreau's legs at the 20-second mark, then set up Matty De St. Phalle for a tap-in on the right side of the crease 16 seconds later. De St. Phalle tacked on another one with a power play snipe from the right circle, before Jordan Martin and Colin Bilek tallied for Indy in a 6-3 victory for Wheeling.
Taylor Gauthier collected the win for the Nailers, as he made 16 saves on 19 shots. Ben Gaudreau took the loss for the Fuel, as he allowed six goals on 30 shots.
The Nailers will return home on Saturday night at 7:10 for Pittsburgh Penguins Night against the Reading Royals. The special guest for the night is two-time Stanley Cup Champion Kevin Stevens, who will sign autographs before the game. There will also be a team trading card set giveaway, a trading card vendor showcase, and the team will wear specialty jerseys. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Late Power Play Lifts Toledo Past Wheeling
James Hardie Records First Two Points as a Nailer
TOLEDO, OH- The Wheeling Nailers had some solid stretches of play, as they held a pair of leads in Sunday's game against the Toledo Walleye at Huntington Center. However, the Walleye didn't go away quietly in their home building, as they rallied back for a 6-3 win, which was decided on a power play goal with 4:14 on the clock. Nolan Moyle netted a hat trick for Toledo, while James Hardie registered his first goal and an assist as a Nailer.
The Nailers got off to a great start, as they tickled the twine twice in the first period. The opening goal came at the 14:04 mark. Matt Koopman launched a home-run pass from his own zone all the way to the offensive blueline, where he sent James Hardie on a breakaway. Hardie faked to his backhand and lifted his shot over sprawled out goaltender Carter Gylander. Wheeling struck again with 1:04 to go. Hardie battled the puck out of the right corner and into the right circle, where David Jankowski ripped a wrist shot into the top-right corner of the cage.
The middle frame belonged to Toledo, who evened the score with two tallies of its own. Carson Bantle netted the first Walleye goal of the match at the 9:46 mark, when he drove down the left side, crashed the net, and slid a backhander in along the ice. The equalizer came with 5:30 remaining. Brandon Hawkins' wrist shot sailed wide, but Nolan Moyle snagged the rebound and banked the puck in off of a Nailer.
Wheeling regained the lead in the early stages of the third period. Logan Pietila and Gabe Klassen put in strong work behind the net, and Matty De St. Phalle popped in a loose puck from the right side of the crease. Unfortunately, Toledo had multiple answers to that. Moyle notched his second of the night to tie the tilt, as he flew down the left side, then cut to the middle to chip a shot into the top-right corner of the goal. The Walleye received only two power plays all day, but their second one turned out to be enormous. as Brandon Kruse whizzed in a wrist shot from the right circle with 4:14 left in regulation. Tyler Spezia and Moyle tacked on empty netters to create a misleading 6-3 final score for the Walleye.
Carter Gylander picked up the win for Toledo, as he came away with 17 saves on 20 shots. Taylor Gauthier suffered the defeat for the Nailers, as he stopped 21 of the 25 shots he faced.
The Nailers will play one more road game on Friday night at 7:00 in Indy. Wheeling's next home game is Pittsburgh Penguins Night on Saturday, February 8th at 7:10 against Reading. Fans will have the opportunity to meet two-time Stanley Cup Champion Kevin Stevens. The Nailers will also be wearing specialty jerseys that night. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Komets Hold Off Nailers, 5-3
Matthew Quercia Scores Twice for Wheeling
FORT WAYNE, IN- The Wheeling Nailers came close to taking a point out of Saturday's game against the Fort Wayne Komets at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Unfortunately, a few missed opportunities left them unable to turn the score around, and Fort Wayne prevailed, 5-3. Matthew Quercia netted two goals for the Nailers, while the Komets struck twice with the man advantage.
Both teams got on the board in the first period, and a power play goal served as the difference in a 2-1 lead for the Komets. Fort Wayne opened the scoring at the 4:08 mark. Anthony Petruzzelli led Brannon McManus in on the right side of the offensive zone. McManus made his way to the right circle, where he roofed a wrist shot into the top-right corner of the net. The Nailers temporarily pulled even on a snipe by Matt Koopman. David Jankowski dropped a pass off to Koopman in the right circle, and Koopman proceeded to rifle a shot into the top-left corner of the cage. The Komets needed just nine seconds of man advantage to take back the lead. Jack Dugan let a wrist shot fly from the top of the right circle, which got tipped down and in by Ethan Keppen. Keppen's night ended the earliest, as he was ejected for head contact in the closing seconds of the stanza.
The goal total in the middle frame replicated that of the first, as Fort Wayne took a two-goal advantage into the second intermission. Michael Gildon spun an unassisted wrist shot from the left circle into the bottom-right portion of the net for a 3-1 score, then Dugan found Jack Gorniak in the slot on the power play, as the Komets cashed in on the man advantage for the second time. Wheeling closed the gap with a power play of its own. Logan Pietila placed a perfect pass into the right side of the crease for a tap-in by Matthew Quercia.
The Nailers pulled within one with 1:36 to go, when Quercia recorded his second goal of the night by lifting in the rebound of Isaac Belliveau's initial shot. Unfortunately, the Komets put the game away 30 seconds later with Gorniak's empty netter for a 5-3 final.
Connor Ungar picked up the win for Fort Wayne, as he made 24 saves on 27 shots. Jaxon Castor suffered the loss for Wheeling, as he stopped 23 of the 27 shots he faced.
The Nailers will wrap up the weekend in Toledo on Sunday at 5:15. Wheeling's next home game is Pittsburgh Penguins Night on Saturday, February 8th at 7:10 against Reading. Fans will have the opportunity to meet two-time Stanley Cup Champion Kevin Stevens. The Nailers will also be wearing specialty jerseys that night. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Koopman Clutch in Overtime Once Again
Forward Scores Third Game Winner in Three Weeks & Second in OT
CINCINNATI, OH- Matt Koopman has been as clutch as can be over the course of the past few weeks, and on Friday night at Heritage Bank Center, he stepped up again with the game on the line. Koopman scored on a breakaway at the 48-second mark of overtime to give the Wheeling Nailers and 4-3 triumph over the Cincinnati Cyclones. The goal was Koopman's second overtime winner of the season, third game winner in three weeks, and fourth game winner of the season. Matty De St. Phalle, Gabe Klassen, and Isaac Belliveau all contributed one goal and one assist.
Both teams got on the scoreboard in the first period, while the Cyclones held a 17-6 advantage in shots. Wheeling notched the opening tally at the 6:37 mark. Jordan Martel battled his way through the trapezoid, then delivered a perfect centering pass to Matty De St. Phalle, who wired a shot from the slot into the right side of the cage. Cincinnati pulled even with 5:53 remaining. The puck took an unexpected bounce at the blueline, which allowed Tristan Ashbrook to break in alone on the right side. Ashbrook fired a low shot which found its way into the goal.
The middle frame followed a similar script, as the Nailers took their second lead of the contest, then the Cyclones collected a late marker to tie it. The Wheeling strike came on a breakaway. Isaac Belliveau launched a pass from his own zone to the opposite blueline to spring Gabe Klassen in alone. Klassen got just enough mustard on his shot to squeeze the puck through Pavel Cajan's legs. Cincinnati's equalizer came with 8.1 seconds on the clock, when Ashbrook's one-timer from the bottom of the right circle snuck between Taylor Gauthier's legs.
The clubs scored in reverse order during the third period, and the goals came 51 seconds apart during 4-on-4 action. Ashbrook completed his hat trick with a breakaway goal, as he sniped a wrist shot from the right circle into the top-left corner of the twine. Isaac Belliveau answered for the Nailers, as he accepted a pass from Klassen, deked to his backhand, and shoveled a shot into the top-right corner of the net.
Regulation wasn't enough to decide a winner, but overtime took just 48 seconds to accomplish that. Matt Koopman poked the puck away at his own blueline and broke in alone. Just as he did two weeks prior in Worcester, he moved the puck from his forehand to his backhand, and lifted Wheeling into the win column, 4-3.
Taylor Gauthier moved into a tie for fourth place on the team's all-time list with his 41st career win, as he stopped 31 of the 34 shots he faced for the Nailers. Pavel Cajan received the overtime loss for Cincinnati, as he gave up four goals on 21 shots.
The Nailers will continue their road weekend in Fort Wayne on Saturday night at 7:35, before a visit to Toledo on Sunday at 5:15. Wheeling's next home game is Pittsburgh Penguins Night on Saturday, February 8th at 7:10. Fans will have the opportunity to meet two-time Stanley Cup Champion Kevin Stevens. The Nailers will also be wearing specialty jerseys that night. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Late Break Goes Kansas City's Way
Wheeling Scores on Power Play for Fifth Straight Game
WHEELING, WV- Hockey is a game of bounces, and Sunday afternoon's game between the Wheeling Nailers and Kansas City Mavericks at WesBanco Arena came down to that very scenario. With 11:57 left in the third period, Kansas City's Max Andreev took advantage of a bounce and delivered the winning goal in a 3-1 score in favor of the visitors. Jordan Martel netted the lone goal on the power play for the Nailers.
Neither team was able to get onto the scoreboard during the first period, as Wheeling outshot Kansas City, 12-7. The Nailers finally broke through with the opening strike during a power play at the 8:31 mark of the middle frame. The scenario was a 5-on-3 for Wheeling, as Daniel Amesbury received a major penalty and an ejection, then Casey Carreau tossed a puck out of play for delay of game. On the goal, Kyle Jackson slid a pass over to Jordan Martel, who bombed a one-timer into the top-right corner of the twine from the top of the left circle. 32 seconds after the penalty expired, the Mavericks tied the tilt. Landon McCallum sliced his way through the defense and loaded a shot into the bottom-right portion of the net.
The game was as tight as could be, as the score stayed deadlocked until the 8:03 mark of the third period, when one break made the difference. Unfortunately, that break went in favor of the Mavericks. An offensive blueline turnover by the Nailers led Kansas City in the other direction. Taylor Gauthier dove out of his crease to try to poke the puck away, but missed, and Max Andreev shoveled a shot into the vacant goal. Cade Borchardt added an empty netter in the closing minutes to complete the 3-1 Mavericks win.
Victor Ostman picked up the victory in goal for Kansas City, as he made 23 saves on 24 shots. Taylor Gauthier suffered the defeat for Wheeling, despite thwarting 35 of the 37 shots he faced.
The Nailers will play their next four games on the road, starting in Cincinnati on Friday night at 7:35. Wheeling's next home game is Pittsburgh Penguins Night on Saturday, February 8th at 7:10. Fans will have the opportunity to meet two-time Stanley Cup Champion Kevin Stevens. The Nailers will also be wearing specialty jerseys that night. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Kansas City Forces Rubber Match
Kyle Jackson Scores Lone Wheeling Goal in Feisty Battle
WHEELING, WV- Saturday night was a tough go for the Wheeling Nailers at WesBanco Arena, as they took one on the chin from the Kansas City Mavericks. Kansas City tickled the twine three times each in the first and second periods, and went on to even the three-game weekend series with a 7-1 triumph. Kyle Jackson scored Wheeling's lone goal, which gives him three in two matches against his former club.
Power play success was the story of the opening stanza, as the Mavericks converted on both of their chances, en route to a 3-1 lead. The first goal came at the 3:12 mark. Jackson Berezowski swept a pass through the low slot to David Cotton, who cranked in a one-timer from beneath the right circle. Wheeling got a tying tally with a man advantage of its own. Atley Calvert set up Kyle Jackson on the right face-off dot, where he launched a one-timer into the top-right corner of the twine. Cotton regained the Kansas City lead with his second of the period, which once again came on the power play. Berezowski was the setup man for the second time, but on this goal, it was a redirection that trickled over the left side of the goal line. Landon McCallum added to the lead for the Mavericks with 2:45 to go, when he snuck behind the defense, and chipped a shot into the top-right corner.
Kansas City turned on the red light three more times in the middle frame. Two of those came during the opening minute. Cade Borchardt wired in a wrist shot from the left side on a 2-on-1 break at the 23-second mark, and 25 seconds later, Justin MacPherson redirected Cam Morrison's attempt up and into the top-right corner. The game took a left turn with 3:44 remaining in the second period, when Matthew Quercia received a double-minor for high sticking, then proceeded to challenge any Maverick within an arm's reach. All of that put Wheeling on the penalty kill for seven straight minutes. Kansas City scored once during that stretch, as McCallum sent a wrist shot through Jaxon Castor's legs.
Casey Carreau tacked on one more for the visitors in the third period, as the Mavericks won, 7-1.
Victor Ostman collected the victory in goal for Kansas City, as he made 23 saves on 24 shots. Jaxon Castor took the loss for the Nailers, as he surrendered seven goals on 35 shots.
The Nailers and Mavericks will play one more game against each other in Wheeling on Sunday at 4:10. Following that contest, fans will have the opportunity to skate with the odd-numbered players. After that, the next Big-6 Promotional Game is Pittsburgh Penguins Night Starring Kevin Stevens on February 8th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Break Away From Mavericks in Third
Matt Koopman's Second Straight Game Winner Gives Wheeling Weekend Opener
WHEELING, WV- Two highly skilled teams took the ice at WesBanco Arena on Friday night, as the Wheeling Nailers and Kansas City Mavericks opened up a three-game series. For the second game in a row, Matt Koopman was the hero for the Nailers, as his breakaway goal with 8:22 left lifted the home side to a 4-3 triumph. Former Maverick Kyle Jackson added two goals for Wheeling, while Taylor Gauthier became the sixth goaltender in team history to earn 40 career victories.
The game started with all sorts of pace, as the two teams combined for three goals on 22 shots. The Nailers were the first ones on the board, as they were successful on the power play at the 5:40 mark. Matty De St. Phalle wound the puck around the boards to Gabe Klassen, who immediately spotted Kyle Jackson on the left side of the slot. Jackson clobbered a one-timer into the bottom-right part of the net. Jackson struck again later in the stanza. The former Maverick cruised around the offensive zone and into the right circle, where he chipped a shot into the left side of the goal. Kansas City got on the scoreboard during the final minute, when Cam Morrison took a pass along the goal line from Max Andreev, turned to his forehand, and zipped in the power play marker.
The margin stayed the same through the middle frame, as both sides added one to their totals. Wheeling's marker came off of a rush at the 3:05 mark. Matt Koopman navigated his way across the offensive blueline and into the middle of the zone, where he threw a shot on goal. Jack LaFontaine made the save, but the rebound went directly to Matthew Quercia, who deposited his tenth of the campaign. The Mavericks got their goal just two seconds after a power play expired. Jackson Berezowski delivered the puck to the left post, where Damien Giroux put his stick down on the ice for the redirection in over the line.
Kansas City battled back to square the score at the 3:29 mark of the third. A scrum around the net resulted in the puck finding its way in off of Marcus Crawford's stick. The officials initially didn't see the goal, but the ruling was overturned after video review. Not to be deterred, the Nailers took their lead back with 8:22 remaining. Quercia sent Koopman on a breakaway, which he scored on by faking to his backhand and lifting a shot up and under the crossbar. A strong effort from the defense and goaltending made sure the 4-3 score made its way to the finish line in Wheeling's favor.
Taylor Gauthier earned the win in goal for the Nailers, as he denied 35 of the 38 shots he faced. Jack LaFontaine took the loss for the Mavericks, as he allowed four goals on 20 shots.
The Nailers and Mavericks will continue their weekend series in Wheeling on Saturday at 7:10. The promotion is 80's Night, which will feature a post game concert by Tongue and Cheek. Wheeling and Kansas City will also collide on Sunday at 4:10, and after that tilt, fans will have the opportunity to skate with the odd-numbered players. The next Big-6 Promotional Game is Pittsburgh Penguins Night Starring Kevin Stevens on February 8th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Koopman Delivers Overtime Heroics in Home State
Wheeling Edges Worcester, 4-3, After Railers Forced Extra Hockey in Dying Seconds
WORCESTER, MA- The Wheeling Nailers and Worcester Railers played four games that were as tight as could be over the course of the last two weeks. All four were decided by one goal, and both teams ended up on the winning side twice. On Sunday afternoon, Worcester battled back with two goals in the final five minutes to force overtime, before Massachusetts native Matt Koopman lifted the Nailers into the win column at the 49-second mark of the extra session. Chris Ortiz factored in on every Wheeling goal, as the Nailers won, 4-3, to finish their best first half in team history at 26-8-2.
Neither team lit the lamp during the first period, despite both sides generating chances on the man advantage. The scoreless deadlock was finally broken by the Nailers at the 8:55 mark of the middle frame. David Jankowski started the play with a nifty kick of the puck along the right wing wall. He then ended up finishing it off, as he tipped in a centering pass from Chris Ortiz on the right side of the crease. Worcester temporarily pulled even, when Cole Donhauser slammed in a one-timer from the low slot, which was set up by Matt DeMelis. The tie game lasted for 1:22, before Wheeling went back on top. The passing around the offensive zone was exceptional, and the end result was Louie Roehl setting up Matty De St. Phalle for a missile of a one-timer from the slot, which he drove into the left side of the cage.
Ortiz gave the Nailers a 3-1 advantage with a power play strike at the 6:21 mark of the third period, when he roofed a wrist shot into the top-left corner of the twine. Wheeling appeared to be in great shape, but the Railers came back to even the score. Jordan Kaplan scored on a shorthanded breakaway with 4:37 remaining, then Anthony Repaci whacked in a loose puck on the right side of the crease with less than five seconds on the clock to tie the match and force overtime.
The Nailers put the end of regulation frustrations behind them quickly, and won the game 49 seconds into overtime. Matt Koopman turned on the jets, as he flew down the left side of the ice. After getting a step on his defender, Koopman cut to the net, put the puck on his backhand, and lifted the winning tally into the top-right corner, as Wheeling was victorious, 4-3.
Taylor Gauthier earned the win for the Nailers, as he turned away 35 of the 38 shots he faced. Hugo Ollas took the overtime loss for Worcester, as he made 28 saves on 32 shots.
The Nailers will return home to WesBanco Arena for three games against the Kansas City Mavericks on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The weekend will begin with a Frosty Friday on the 24th, then the highlight game of the weekend will be 80's night on Saturday the 25th, which will feature a post game concert by Tongue and Cheek. The next Big-6 Promotional Night is Pittsburgh Penguins Night starring Kevin Stevens on February 8th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Railers Edge Nailers With Special Teams
Anthony Callin Tallies Points on All Four Worcester Goals
WORCESTER, MA- The Wheeling Nailers went 13 straight road games without allowing a power play goal on the road. On Saturday night, they ran into one of the top power plays in the ECHL, and the Worcester Railers were successful on three of four opportunities. The final man advantage marker snapped a tied score in the third period and gave Worcester the 4-3 decision at DCU Center. Anthony Callin factored into all four Railers goals with two goals and two assists, and he also scored the game winner.
Both teams got on the scoreboard during the first period. Worcester opened the scoring just one minute into the contest with a power play strike. Connor Welsh swerved a pass over to Anthony Repaci, who whipped a wrist shot along the ice and in from the right face-off dot. The power play goal was the first allowed by Wheeling on the road since November 1st. The Nailers pulled even 4:39 later. Peter Laviolette grabbed the puck off of the end wall and dropped a pass back to Matt Koopman at the blueline. Koopman skated into the right side of the slot, and rocketed a slap shot into the top-left corner of the cage.
The two sides continued to match each other in the middle frame. The Railers went ahead at the 3:26 mark on a controversial goal. Anthony Callin collided with Sergei Murashov, which allowed Riley Ginnell to place a slap shot into an open net. The goal stood after video review. The Nailers temporarily tied the match at the 9:06 mark. Gabe Klassen delivered a perfect pass to the top-right corner of the crease, where Atley Calvert converted with a tip-in on the man advantage. Unfortunately, Wheeling received a penalty on the next shift, and Worcester was successful on the power play. Callin tossed a wrist shot through traffic and into the top-right corner of the twine. The goal was reviewed and counted. However, with less than three minutes later, the Railers had a goal called off for goaltender interference, and the Nailers used that energy to get a third tying goal. Chris Ortiz let a wrist shot go from the center point, which flew into the top-left corner of the cage.
The third period was extremely defensive, as only seven combined shots found their way on goal. One of them went in, and it was Worcester's power play which made the difference. Welsh set up Callin at the left face-off dot, where the forward gathered in the pass, then ripped a wrist shot into the top-right corner. That marker stood as the winner in a 4-3 final for the Railers.
Michael Bullion got the win for Worcester, as he made 29 saves on 32 shots. Sergei Murashov suffered his first regulation loss in 16 games, as he stopped 19 of the 23 shots he faced.
The Nailers and Railers will conclude their regular season series in Worcester on Sunday at 3:05. Wheeling will play three home games next weekend against the Kansas City Mavericks on January 24th, 25th, and 26th. The weekend will begin with a Frosty Friday on the 24th, then the highlight game of the weekend will be 80's night on Saturday the 25th, which will feature a post game concert by Tongue and Cheek. The next Big-6 Promotional Night is Pittsburgh Penguins Night starring Kevin Stevens on February 8th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Worcester Wins by a Whisker, 2-1
Nailers Complete Busy Stretch of Ten Games in 17 Days With 7-2-1 Record
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers completed an extremely busy stretch on Sunday afternoon, as they not only played their fourth game in five days during the week, but their tenth game in 17 days since the holidays. Wheeling finished that group of games with a 7-2-1 record, but unfortunately, came up on the short end of a 2-1 score at WesBanco Arena against the Worcester Railers. Logan Pietila was the only Nailer to solve Michael Bullion, while Justin Gill had a goal and an assist for Worcester.
All things considered, the Nailers had a solid first period, despite the fact that they trailed by one goal. That marker came at the 10:18 mark. Justin Gill carried the puck in on the left side of the offensive zone, faked a shot, then curled around the net, and stuffed a wraparound inside of the right post.
Worcester added to its lead 1:22 into the middle frame, off of an offensive zone face-off. Gill dished the puck to the right side of the crease, where Anthony Callin had himself a tap-in.
Wheeling got some life in the early stages of the third period, as the deficit was cut to one. Gabe Klassen whipped a low shot on goal from the left side, which produced a rebound for Logan Pietila to slam home. The Nailers emptied the tank with an 11-3 shots advantage in the final stanza, but were unable to find a tying goal, as the Railers prevailed, 2-1.
Michael Bullion earned the win for Worcester, as he denied 33 of the 34 shots he faced. Taylor Gauthier suffered the defeat for Wheeling, despite making 27 saves on 29 shots.
The Nailers and Railers will play two more games against each other next weekend in Worcester on Saturday at 6:05 and Sunday at 3:05. Wheeling will return home the following weekend for a three-game series against the Kansas City Mavericks on January 24th, 25th, and 26th. The weekend will begin with a Frosty Friday on the 24th, then the highlight game of the weekend will be 80's night on Saturday the 25th, which will feature a post game concert by Tongue and Cheek. The next Big-6 Promotional Night is Pittsburgh Penguins Night starring Kevin Stevens on February 8th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Rally for 4-3 Shootout Win
Gabe Klassen Ties Score in Third, Then Jack Beck Delivers Shootout Winner
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers faced quite the challenge on Saturday night at WesBanco Arena, and showed all sorts of heart to come away with their 25th victory of the season. Wheeling returned from Indy at 5:00 on Saturday morning, then turned around to face a rested Worcester Railers team, who had been off since the previous Saturday. The Nailers erased three separate deficits during regulation, then did it one more time in the shootout, before Jack Beck delivered the deciding strike in front of 4,051 fans. The final score ended up 4-3 in Wheeling's favor.
The first period was a back-and-forth battle, which resulted in a one-goal lead for the visitors. The opening marker came at the 2:54 mark. Worcester's Ryan Dickinson let a wrist shot go from the top of the left circle, which got deflected through Sergei Murashov's legs by Anthony Repaci for his team-leading 20th goal of the season. The Nailers briefly evened the score on the power play, which needed just seven seconds to convert. Jack Beck set up Chris Ortiz, who rang a one-timer off of the right post and in from the left point. The Railers regained the lead 52 seconds later on a 2-on-1 rush, as JD Dudek deposited a cross-slot pass from Justin Gill.
The score stayed 2-1 until the latter stages of the middle frame, when Wheeling temporarily pulled even. Ortiz spun and fired a wrist shot from the top of the circle, which got tipped in by Matt Koopman. The Nailers were less than one minute away from getting the contest to the intermission tied, but with 34 seconds to go, Worcester went back on top. Jordan Kaplan made a pass out of the right corner to Griffin Loughran, who escaped behind the defense, faked to his backhand, and squeezed a shot through Murashov's legs.
Wheeling was bound and determined to fend off every piece of adversity thrown its way, and with 9:19 left, the contest became tied again. Atley Calvert skated in on the right side of the offensive zone, and delivered a perfect feed for Gabe Klassen to tip home for a 3-3 deadlock.
Despite a plethora of scoring chances during the remainder of the third period and overtime, a shootout was necessary to decide a winner. After coming back three times during regulation, the Nailers had to come back in the shootout as well, as Connor Welsh tallied on the opening attempt for the Railers. David Jankowski squared the skills competition in round two with a shot into the top-right corner. Murashov forced Anthony Callin away for Worcester in round three, which set the stage for the heroics. Jack Beck sent the fabulous crowd home happy, as he lifted a backhander into the top-right corner to give Wheeling the 4-3 triumph.
Sergei Murashov earned the win for the Nailers, as he made 29 saves on 32 shots during the game, then thwarted two of three shootout shots. Hugo Ollas received the shootout loss for the Railers, as he came away with 31 stops on 34 shots during the game, then gave up two goals on three shootout shots.
The Nailers and Railers will clash again in Wheeling on Sunday afternoon at 4:10. Following the game, fans will have the opportunity to skate with the even-numbered players. Another exciting upcoming promotion is 80's Night on January 25th, which will feature a post game concert by Tongue and Cheek. The next Big-6 Promotional Night is Pittsburgh Penguins Night starring Kevin Stevens on February 8th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Fire Past Fuel, 4-1
Matthew Quercia Scores Twice, as Wheeling Reaches 50 Points
FISHERS, IN- Three out of four points in a road building is always a positive, and the Wheeling Nailers secured two of those points at Fishers Event Center on Friday night against the Indy Fuel. Matthew Quercia scored twice, as Wheeling built a 3-0 lead, and ultimately skated away with a 4-1 road triumph. Taylor Gauthier was the victorious netminder with 25 saves.
The Nailers had the exact start to the game they were looking for, as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead. The first goal came less than one minute after a successful penalty kill. Jack Beck tossed a shot on goal from the left boards, which went in and out of Ben Gaudreau's glove, then landed on the ice for a slam dunk by Kyle Jackson. Wheeling's second marker came off of a rush into the offensive zone. Chris Ortiz turned away from traffic, and spotted David Drake skating in on the left side. Drake let a wrist shot go, which got tipped into the cage by Matthew Quercia.
Both teams turned on the red light in the middle frame, as the Nailers maintained their two-goal lead. Wheeling did temporarily go ahead by three with a successful power play. Cam Hausinger slashed Dakota Seaman, which led to the two dropping the gloves, and a victorious fight for Seaman. On the man advantage, David Jankowski slid a pass across the slot to Quercia, who banged a one-timer into the open left side of the twine. Indy got on the scoreboard by forcing a turnover with a borderline play in the Nailers defensive end. Ultimately, Colin Bilek made his way in deep, and chipped a shot into the top-right corner.
Gabe Klassen tacked on the team's tenth empty net goal of the season with a backhander from his own zone for the 4-1 final score.
Taylor Gauthier moved into sole possession of sixth place on Wheeling's all-time list with his 38th career victory, as he denied 25 of the 26 shots he faced. Ben Gaudreau took the loss for the Fuel with 22 saves on 25 shots.
The Nailers will return home on Saturday night at 7:10 to play the first of four straight games against Worcester. The promotion is Star Wars Night, which is the next Big-6 Promotional Game. Fans can meet Star Wars characters, there will be a winter hat giveaway, the team will wear specialty jerseys, and there will be themed food items such as lightsaber churros. Wheeling and Worcester will also do battle at WesBanco Arena on Sunday at 4:10. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Fuel Win Goaltending Duel in Overtime
Sergei Murashov Extends Point Streak to 14 Straight Starts
FISHERS, IN- Goaltending was elite on Wednesday night at Fishers Event Center, as the Wheeling Nailers battled the Indy Fuel. Sergei Murashov and Ben Gaudreau matched each other save for save during regulation, and many of those stops were absolute robberies. A 1-1 tie got broken 3:28 into overtime, when Indy's Ryan Gagnier converted on a breakaway to give the Fuel a 2-1 decision.
The two squads played to a scoreless first period, as Indy outshot Wheeling, 10-4. The first goal finally found the twine at the 10:40 mark of the middle frame. Shane Bull forced his way down the right wing wall, before sliding the puck in the direction of the net. Dakota Seaman quickly turned a feed into the left circle, where Mats Lindgren stepped in and wired a shot into the top-left corner. The Fuel pulled even with 2:19 to go. During the period of the long change, Wheeling's line got trapped in the defensive end, and eventually, Indy wore that unit down, with Ryan Gagnier centering a pass to Cam Hausinger for a one-time strike from the low slot.
The netminders shined in the third period to preserve the 1-1 deadlock, which needed extra hockey to be decided. The Nailers continued their strong offensive effort from the third period (13 shots) into overtime with a four-shot effort, but the Fuel were able to cash in on their lone shot to win the game, 2-1. Gagnier scooped up a loose puck around his own crease, then chugged his way in the other direction, and lifted a backhander up and into the top-right corner of the cage.
Ben Gaudreau collected the victory for Indy, as he stopped 28 of the 29 shots he faced. Sergei Murashov saw his 13-game winning streak come to an end, but now has points in 14 consecutive starts, as he made 25 saves on 27 shots.
The Nailers and Fuel will play against each other in Indy again on Friday at 7:00. Wheeling's next home game is Star Wars Night on Saturday at 7:10 against Worcester. That is also the next Big-6 Promotional Game. Fans can meet Star Wars characters, there will be a pom-pom hat giveaway, the team will wear specialty jerseys, and there will be themed food items such as lightsaber churros. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Off Night in Norfolk for Nailers
North Division Heavyweights Split Two-Game Season Series
NORFOLK, VA- Every team will have an off night from time to time, and the Wheeling Nailers will look to put Saturday night's game at Norfolk Scope Arena behind them in a hurry. The Norfolk Admirals scored six times in the first period, en route to a 9-3 win, as the two teams split the only two games they will play against each other in the 2024-25 regular season.
The first period was all Admirals, as they scored six times. Stepan Timofeyev started the outburst by curving his way into the slot and roofing a wrist shot into the top-left corner of the twine. Darick Louis-Jean scored 1:51 later, when he grabbed a pass from Filip Fornåå-Svensson, faked to his forehand, and dragged the puck around Taylor Gauthier's right leg. Things quieted down for the next seven minutes, before Norfolk exploded for four goals in a span of 2:52. Pavel Padakin wired in a wrist shot from the left circle at the 10:52 mark, Brady Fleurent tapped in a rebound on the left side 51 seconds later, Denis Smirnov backhanded in a breakaway goal 38 second after that, and Justin Young jammed in a loose puck along the left post with 6:16 remaining. The Nailers swapped goaltenders after the fifth goal.
Wheeling attempted to pull out as many stops as possible, and unfortunately, one of those moves resulted in a shorthanded empty netter by Fleurent to start the second. However, the Nailers did convert on the man advantage 18 seconds later, when Gabe Klassen wired in a wrist shot from the left circle. Brandon Osmundson tallied for the the Admirals with 4:42 left in the stanza, before Wheeling turned on the red light twice in the final minute. Sam Houde picked the top-right corner from the slot, and Matt Koopman redirected Matthew Quercia's attempt on the left side of the crease.
Timofeyev tacked on his second of the night in the third to wrap up a 9-3 final.
Domenic DiVincentiis got the win for Norfolk, as he made 32 saves on 35 shots. Taylor Gauthier allowed five goals on eight shots in the loss for the Nailers, before Sergei Murashov went 16-of-19 in relief.
The Nailers will play two more road games in the coming week, as they will visit Indy on Wednesday and Friday, with both games starting at 7:00. Wheeling's next home game is Star Wars Night on Saturday, January 11th at 7:10 against Worcester. That is also the next Big-6 Promotional Game. Fans can meet Star Wars characters, there will be a pom-pom hat giveaway, the team will wear specialty jerseys, and there will be themed food items such as lightsaber churros. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Hold Off Admirals, 5-4
Gabe Klassen Scores Twice, Including Eventual Game Winner
NORFOLK, VA- The top two teams in the North Division went to battle on Friday night at Norfolk Scope Arena, as the division-leading Wheeling Nailers faced the second-place Norfolk Admirals for the first time this season. The match-up lived up to the billing with nine combined goals, 58 combined saves, and a one-goal differential. One of Gabe Klassen's two tallies on the night created that differential, while Atley Calvert recorded three points in a 5-4 Wheeling triumph.
The Nailers surrendered the game's opening goal, but battled back to not only tie the score, but take the lead in a matter of seconds. Norfolk's goal came at the 8:18 mark, when Carson Golder pounced on the rebound of Justin Young's shot on the right side of the low slot, and flipped a backhander into the net. Wheeling answered 1:42 later with an equalizer. Louie Roehl led a transition rush into the offensive game, and kept the puck moving forward to Matty De St. Phalle. One more pass came from De St. Phalle to Jack Beck, who deked to his backhand, and slithered a shot through Domenic DiVincentiis' legs. 32 seconds later, the Nailers hopped on top. Dilan Peters wired a shot from the right wing wall up and into the top-left corner of the cage for his first goal as a pro.
Wheeling added to its advantage with a pair of tallies in the middle frame. With 7:37 remaining, Atley Calvert entered the zone on an odd-man rush with Gabe Klassen, and swung a low shot on goal. DiVincentiis made the save, but the rebound sat at the top of the crease, where it got backhanded home by Klassen. The Nailers followed that up with a successful power play, after Darick Louis-Jean picked up an additional penalty from a scrum between Peters and Denis Smirnov. Sam Houde set up Atley Calvert, who turned off of the left side of the goal line, and whipped a shot into the right side of the twine.
Ross McDougall notched the first goal of the third period for the Admirals with a wrist shot from the right circle at the 2:47 mark. Wheeling responded to that 2:15 later, when Calvert sprang Klassen into the left circle, where he roofed his second of the night into the top-right corner of the cage to make the score 5-2. Nobody knew how big that goal would be at the time, but they found out in the closing minutes. Norfolk lit the lamp twice in the span of a minute to make the margin one. Golder potted his second with a rebound marker while his goaltender was pulled, then Sean Montgomery connected from the low slot. The Nailers made sure that was the last celebration for the home team, as they closed out that 5-4 road victory.
Sergei Murashov collected his 13th consecutive win for Wheeling, as he stopped 31 of the 35 shots he faced. Domenic DiVincentiis took the loss for the Admirals, as he made 27 saves on 32 shots.
The Nailers and Admirals will do battle in Norfolk again on Saturday at 7:05, as the four-game road stretch continues. Wheeling's next home game is Star Wars Night on Saturday, January 11th at 7:10 against Worcester. That is also the next Big-6 Promotional Game. Fans can meet Star Wars characters, there will be a pom-pom hat giveaway, the team will wear specialty jerseys, and there will be themed food items such as lightsaber churros. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Close 2024 With a Bang
Chris Ortiz Dishes Out Five Assists, Seven Different Players Score Goals in 7-3 Win
WHEELING, WV- 2024 was a memorable year for the Wheeling Nailers, and on Tuesday night, they sent 4,076 fans home from WesBanco Arena with lots to smile about. Seven different players found the back of the net for Wheeling, and five of those goals were assisted by Chris Ortiz. David Jankowski added four points and Jack Beck recorded three points, as the Nailers rocked the Reading Royals, 7-3. Wheeling earned its 49th victory of the calendar year, and improved to 22-5-1 on the season for an .804 points percentage. The Nailers also ran their all-time record on New Year's Eve to 21-7-4, and have won the last seven times they've played on December 31st.
The Nailers got things going with back-to-back strikes in the latter part of the first period. The first goal came off of an offensive zone face-off with 2:17 remaining. Chris Ortiz carried the puck deep on the right side, then backhanded a pass to the front of the net. Matt Koopman batted the puck out of the air and into the cage. 27 seconds later, Ortiz set up a second lighting of the lamp. His initial shot hit off of Matthew Quercia, who immediately turned and shoveled a backhander up and into the top-right corner. David Jankowski also assisted on both tallies.
Matt Brown put Reading on the scoreboard on a breakaway at the 22-second mark of the middle frame, but Wheeling answered immediately to rebuild its two-goal advantage. Matty De St. Phalle started and finished a three-way passing play, as he tipped in Jack Beck's feed on the right side of the crease. Beck's next delivery went into the net, as he took a lead pass from Ortiz, skated into the left circle, and beat Keith Petruzzelli through the legs. With less than one minute to go in the period, the Nailers converted on the first power play of the night, as Kyle Jackson clobbered in a one-timer from the top of the right circle. Once again, the lead pass came from Ortiz for his fifth assist of the match.
David Jankowski took advantage of some puck luck in the early stages of the third period, as a pass bounced off of a Reading skate and directly to him for a tap-in on the left side of the crease. Mason Primeau and Todd Skirving temporarily gave the Royals some life with back-to-back markers, before Bennett MacArthur's one-time slam dunk from the right side of the crease put the final exclamation point on Wheeling's 7-3 triumph.
Taylor Gauthier backstopped the win for the Nailers, as he turned away 25 of the 28 shots he faced. Keith Petruzzelli was the losing netminder for Reading, as he allowed seven goals on 31 shots.
The Nailers will open the 2025 calendar year with four straight road games, starting on Friday and Saturday in Norfolk at 7:05. Wheeling's next home game is Star Wars Night on Saturday, January 11th at 7:10 against Worcester. That is also the next Big-6 Promotional Game. Fans can meet Star Wars characters, there will be a pom-pom hat giveaway, the team will wear specialty jerseys, and there will be themed food items such as lightsaber churros. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Rally to Down Iowa Again
Wheeling Scores Three in the Third to Erase 1-0 Deficit
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers have won games in a variety of different ways this season, and on Sunday afternoon, they battled their way to two more points against the Iowa Heartlanders at WesBanco Arena. Wheeling trailed 1-0 at the end of two periods, before Jack Beck, Atley Calvert, and Logan Pietila all scored in the third to rally the club to a 3-1 triumph. Sergei Murashov was tremendous in goal once again, as he made 32 saves.
One goal was scored in the first period, and it was visiting Iowa who did so by taking advantage of a power play. Dakota Raabe navigated his way to the top of the right circle, where he let a wrist shot go with four bodies between him and the net. The shot ended up flying in on the left side.
The score stayed 1-0 through a defensive second period, until Wheeling finally broke through with the equalizer at the 5:40 mark of the third. Cole Cameron broke up a Heartlanders rush in center ice, which allowed Logan Pietila to send Jack Beck in on the left side of the offensive zone. Beck made his way into the left circle, where he drove a shot through Kyle McClellan's legs. That goal completely turned the game around for the Nailers, who took the lead 4:48 later with a power play strike. Only five seconds were needed on the man advantage, as Atley Calvert won the face-off back to Chris Ortiz, who dished a pass over to Beck along the left wing boards. Beck delivered a perfect feed into the right side of the crease, which was tipped home by Calvert. Logan Pietila added an empty netter with 1:30 to go, as Wheeling was victorious, 3-1.
Sergei Murashov earned his 12th consecutive win for the Nailers with another superb performance, as he denied 32 of the 33 shots he faced. Kyle McClellan made 18 saves on 20 shots in the loss for Iowa.
The Nailers will close out the 2024 calendar year at home on Tuesday at 6:10 against Reading. The promotion is Kids' Neon New Year's Eve, which will feature a postgame light show, glow sticks, sparkling grape juice, and glow cups. Star Wars Night is the next Big-6 Promotional Game, and that is also right around the corner on Saturday, January 11th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Hunt Down Heartlanders, 6-2
Wheeling Earns 20th Win in Game 26
WHEELING, WV- Despite being in different conferences, the rivalry between the Wheeling Nailers and Iowa Heartlanders is still alive and well, as 2,935 fans saw at WesBanco Arena on Saturday night. Wheeling also turned in a big offensive performance with three goals each in the first and second periods. Kyle Jackson scored twice, while Jack Beck and Atley Calvert both turned in three-point performances in the 6-2 triumph. The win was the 20th of the season for the Nailers, who extended their North Division lead to four points.
The first period had everything and more, as five goals were scored, both teams were successful on the power play, and there was a fight. Iowa opened the scoring at the 2:42 mark. Hakon Nilsen let a wrist shot go from the right point, which was tipped in by Ryan Miotto. The Nailers answered that less than three minutes later. David Jankowski tossed a low shot in toward the goal from the right point. The chance produced a rebound, which was lifted up and in by Shane Bull for his first goal with the team. A few minutes after that, the fight took place, as Matthew Quercia challenged Nico Blachman, after Blachman delivered a late hit on Louie Roehl. Quercia received an instigating penalty, and the Heartlanders scored on that power play, when T.J. Walsh banked the puck off of a Wheeling stick and in. However, the Nailers were quick to capitalize on a power play of their own to draw even for a second time. Kyle Jackson whipped a wrist shot from the top of the right circle into the bottom-left portion of the goal. 1:52 later, Wheeling took its first lead of the night. Jack Beck dropped a pass to Ryan Lieth, who dangled to his backhand in the slot, and roofed the puck into the top-right corner of the cage.
The scoring continued for one team in the middle frame, and that squad was the Nailers. Jackson notched his second power play marker of the night at the 3:33 mark with a beautiful tip-in, which was set up by Beck in the left circle. Matt Koopman followed that up 1:04 later by spinning and whizzing a shot through Kyle McClellan's legs from the right circle. As the seconds ticked away toward intermission, Atley Calvert tacked on one more for the home side, as his left side backhander trickled through McClellan's legs.
Neither team dented the twine in the third period, as the final score went into the books 6-2 in Wheeling's favor.
Taylor Gauthier earned the victory for the Nailers, as he stopped 28 of the 30 shots he faced. Kevin McClellan took the loss for Iowa, as he gave up six goals on 27 shots.
The Nailers and Heartlanders will meet again on Sunday at 4:10, and following the game, fans will be able to skate with the odd-numbered players. Then, on Tuesday at 6:10, Reading comes to town for Kids' Neon New Year's Eve. That night will feature a postgame light show, glow sticks, sparkling grape juice, and glow cups. Star Wars Night is the next Big-6 Promotional Game, and that is also right around the corner on Saturday, January 11th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Hold on for Thrilling 3-2 Win
Sergei Murashov Sets New Wheeling Record With His 11th Straight Victory
CINCINNATI, OH- The Wheeling Nailers gutted it out on Friday night at Heritage Bank Center, and got rewarded for their efforts. Sergei Murashov made 23 saves for his 11th straight win between the pipes, while Jack Beck delivered the deciding goal as part of a two-point effort. The Wheeling Nailers edged the Cincinnati Cyclones, 3-2 in front of 9,990 fans - the second largest crowd to ever witness a Wheeling triumph.
The Nailers got some strong play out of their defense and goaltending during the first period, but took the lead into the locker room, thanks to a late power play strike. Jack Beck carried the puck in and delivered a pass to Atley Calvert on the left side of the offensive zone. Calvert skated even deeper, before dropping the puck off to Matty De St. Phalle, who throttled in a wrist shot from the slot.
A bizarre goal helped Wheeling up its lead at the 1:53 mark of the middle frame. Logan Pietila threw the puck into the crease from the right corner. Marko Sikic nearly had it bounce off of him and in, and while that didn't go, Matthew Quercia was there to poke the puck off of Sikic's stick and past an unsuspecting Pavel Cajan. Ty Voit put the Cyclones on the scoreboard with 6:42 remaining in the period, as he flew into the left side of the slot and zipped a wrist shot into the left side of the cage.
The Nailers scored what turned out to be a huge goal at the 11:41 mark of the third period to temporarily go ahead by a pair. Louie Roehl took a pass from Chris Ortiz, and darted toward the net from the right point. Although his backhander was stopped, Jack Beck was on the scene to poke in the rebound. The marker stood following video review for potential goaltender interference. That tally was so significant, because Cincinnati made the score 3-2 with 6:53 to go, when Ryan McCleary flew in a wrist shot from the top of the right circle. After that goal was scored, Wheeling defenseman Cole Cameron cross checked Chris Dodero in the face, and received a major penalty and a game misconduct. The Nailers killed off the entire five-minute power play, and also shut down a 6-on-5 attempt by the Cyclones to close out their 3-2 victory.
Sergei Murashov became the first goaltender in Wheeling hockey history to win 11 consecutive starts, as he was victorious again with 23 saves on 25 shots. Pavel Cajan surrendered three goals on 12 shots in the loss for Cincinnati.
The Nailers will play their next three games at home to conclude the 2024 calendar year. On Saturday night at 7:10, Wheeling will host Iowa, and there will be a re-gift exchange. Fans can bring in a gift that they didn't want, and swap it out for one that another fan brought to the game. The Nailers and Heartlanders will also do battle on Sunday at 4:10, and that will be followed by a postgame skate with odd-numbered players. The homestand will conclude on Tuesday at 6:10 against Reading with Kids' Neon New Year's Eve. That night will feature a postgame light show, glow sticks, sparkling grape juice, and glow cups. Star Wars Night is the next Big-6 Promotional Game, and that is also right around the corner on Saturday, January 11th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Young Backstops 2-1 Win for Wings
Peter Laviolette Scores First of Season for Wheeling
KALAMAZOO, MI- Every once in a while, a hot goaltender can steal a game, and that's what the Wheeling Nailers ran into on Sunday afternoon at Wings Event Center. Ty Young made 36 saves to lead the Kalamazoo Wings to a 2-1 win, as Peter Laviolette was the lone Wheeling player to solve him.
Neither team was able to light the lamp in the first period, which saw Kalamazoo hold a 14-11 advantage in shots on goal. The Wings ultimately broke through with a pair of tallies in the middle frame. The opening marker came with loads of congestion around the crease at the 9:06 mark. Davis Codd crashed in, and was able to push the puck in over the line. The play was originally ruled no goal, but was reversed following video review. With 2:15 to go, Kalamazoo struck again with heavy traffic. Luc Salem's left point wrist shot was denied, but the rebound booted out to Ted Nichol, who lifted the puck up and over a sprawled out Taylor Gauthier.
Wheeling pulled to within one at the 10:57 mark of the third period. Gabe Klassen fired a shot on goal from the right circle, which was stopped. However, Peter Laviolette drove in to the right side of the crease, where he scooped the rebound up and into the top-left corner of the cage. The Nailers put 16 shots on goal in the final frame, but a tying goal wasn't in the cards, and the Wings prevailed, 2-1.
Both goaltenders turned in terrific performances. Ty Young backstopped the win for Kalamazoo, as he thwarted 36 of the 37 shots he faced. Taylor Gauthier made 28 saves on 30 shots for the Nailers.
The Nailers would like to wish all of their fans a very Happy Holiday Season! The team's next game will be on Friday night at 7:00 on the road against Cincinnati. Wheeling's next home game will be Saturday at 7:10 against Iowa, which will feature a re-gifting exchange. Another exciting upcoming promotion is Kids' Neon New Year's Eve on December 31st, which will have a postgame light show, glow sticks, sparkling grape juice, and glow cups. Star Wars Night is the next Big-6 Promotional Game, and that is also right around the corner on Saturday, January 11th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Bounce Back to Beat Toledo, 5-2
Sam Houde Scores Twice in Wheeling's Seventh Straight Road Win
TOLEDO, OH- The Wheeling Nailers bounced right back into the win column, and exacted revenge on the Toledo Walleye on Saturday night at Huntington Center. Sam Houde scored twice and Sergei Murashov made 34 saves in the 5-2 triumph, which was Wheeling's seventh consecutive win on enemy ice.
The Nailers started off on the right skate, as they potted the lone goal of the first period at the 3:48 mark. Wheeling forced a turnover in neutral ice, which allowed Matty De St. Phalle to transition quickly into the offensive zone. De St. Phalle ultimately floated a pass ahead to Jack Beck, who got behind the defense, deked to his forehand, and slipped a shot through Carter Gylander's legs.
While the opening stanza was good, the middle frame was better, as the Nailers upped their lead to three. Goal number two came right away at the 35-second mark. Jagger Joshua fanned on a shot, but ended up dribbling the puck into the crease for a tap-in by Sam Houde. A little more than seven minutes later, Wheeling's power play converted. Beck fired a low shot from the left point, which was tipped up into the top shelf by Atley Calvert. Brandon Hawkins temporarily brought Toledo within two on a wrist shot from the low slot, before Houde's second of the period made the score 4-1. Houde battled his way from the right circle into the slot and drove a shot through the netminder.
Casey Dornbach picked the top-right corner for the Walleye at the 1:58 mark of the third period, before David Jankowski punctuated the 5-2 victory for the Nailers with an empty netter.
Sergei Murashov tied David Brumby's team record with his tenth consecutive win in goal for Wheeling, as he rejected 34 of the 36 shots he faced. Carter Gylander was the losing goaltender for Toledo, as he allowed four goals on 25 shots.
The Nailers will head up to Kalamazoo on Sunday for a 3:00 game against the Wings. Wheeling's next home game will be Saturday, December 28th at 7:10 against Iowa, which will feature a re-gifting exchange. Another exciting upcoming promotion is Kids' Neon New Year's Eve on December 31st, which will have a postgame light show, glow sticks, sparkling grape juice, and glow cups. Star Wars Night is the next Big-6 Promotional Game, and that is also right around the corner on Saturday, January 11th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Walleye Snap the Streaks
Bednar Makes 25 Saves in 4-0 Toledo Win
WHEELING, WV- The streaks were fun while they lasted, but unfortunately, they came to an end on Friday night at WesBanco Arena. Goaltender Jan Bednar was perfect on 25 shots and Tyler Spezia scored twice, as the Toledo Walleye blanked the Wheeling Nailers, 4-0. The setback ended Wheeling's 13-game winning streak, 16-game point streak, and ten-game home point streak.
One goal was scored in the opening stanza, and it came from Toledo at the 3:50 mark. Conlan Keenan entered the offensive zone, and dished a pass to his left. Tyler Spezia accepted the feed, navigated his way to the bottom of the left circle, and sifted a shot through Taylor Gauthier's legs. Another highlight from the first period was a fight by Matthew Quercia, who was challenged by Dalton Messina, after Quercia delivered a punishing check on Matt Anderson.
The score remained 1-0 until the early stages of the third period, when the Walleye extended their lead. Brandon Kruse stole the puck in the slot, and fed Sam Craggs, who proceeded to set up Mitchell Lewandowski for a one-time snipe from the right hash mark. Toledo put the game away with two goals in the closing minutes, as Dalton Messina banged in the rebound of Casey Dornbach's initial shot, then Spezia threaded in his second of the night from the left circle 16 seconds later.
Jan Bednar secured the shutout for the Walleye, as he stopped all 25 shots he faced. Taylor Gauthier made 25 saves on 29 shots in the defeat for Wheeling.
The Nailers and Walleye will travel to Toledo to play again on Saturday at 7:15. Wheeling will then finish up the pre-holiday portion of their schedule with a road game in Kalamazoo on Sunday at 3:00. The next home game for the Nailers will be Saturday, December 28th at 7:10 against Iowa, which will feature a re-gifting exchange. Some exciting upcoming promotions include Kids' Neon New Year's Eve on December 31st, and Star Wars Night on January 11th, which is the next Big-6 Promotional Game. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
All Smiles as Nailers Win 13th in a Row
Wheeling Sets New Record for Longest Win Streak & Extends Record Point Streak to 16
READING, PA- The Wheeling Nailers continue to make history, and on Saturday night, they set a new club record for the longest winning streak with their 13th win in a row. The contest was scoreless deep into the second period, before Kyle Jackson and Matty De St. Phalle gave Wheeling the lead. Louie Roehl and Jordan Martel added insurance in the third, and Sergei Murashov made the win stand up with 30 saves, as the Nailers knocked off the Reading Royals, 4-1 at Santander Arena. In addition to the winning streak, Wheeling extended its team-best point streak to 16 straight games (15-0-1).
Neither team was able to find the twine in the first 33 minutes of the game. That finally changed, when the Nailers opened the scoring in period two. Jordan Martel rolled a pass out to Jack Beck at the left point. Beck was given lots of time and space to walk in and load up a wrist shot, which bounced off of Kyle Jackson and dribbled in over the goal line. 4:20 later, Wheeling struck again. This time, Jackson set up the marker, as he delivered a pass into the right circle, where Matty De St. Phalle fired a laser of a one-timer into the top-left corner of the cage. Reading trimmed the margin to one with 1:11 remaining, when Austin Master put back the rebound of Jake Smith's initial shot.
The Nailers stopped the potential momentum for the Royals immediately, as they regained their two-goal edge just 35 seconds into the third. Chris Ortiz dished a pass across the blueline to Louie Roehl, who wired a slap shot all the way through and in from the right point. Wheeling tacked on one more with the man advantage, when Jordan Martel split the defense, and flipped a shot into the top-right corner of the net to give the contest a 4-1 final score.
Sergei Murashov earned his ninth consecutive victory in goal for the Nailers, as he thwarted 30 of the 31 shots he faced. Keith Petruzzelli received the loss for Reading, as he allowed four goals on 21 shots.
The Nailers will return to home ice on Friday night at 7:10 for a Frosty Friday with $2 beer specials against Toledo. That will be the first of three games next week for Wheeling, who will also travel to Toledo and Kalamazoo to wrap up the pre-holiday slate. A couple of exciting upcoming promotions include Kids' Neon New Year's Eve on December 31st, and Star Wars Night on January 11th, which is the next Big-6 Promotional Game. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Make More History in 12th Straight Win
Wheeling has 15-Game Point Streak for First Time in Team History
READING, PA- The Wheeling Nailers have altered the history books once again. On Friday night, Wheeling matched its team record with its 12th straight win, and set a new club record by earning points in 15 consecutive contests (14-0-1). The Nailers gave up the first goal of the match, but stormed back with four straight strikes to defeat the Reading Royals, 4-1 at Santander Arena. Matty De St. Phalle scored two of the goals, while Jordan Martel assisted on three of them, and Taylor Gauthier made 28 saves.
Despite allowing the game's opening goal, the first period belonged to the Nailers. Todd Skirving was responsible for that marker for Reading, as he shortened up on his stick, and shuffled in a low shot from the right face-off dot. Wheeling's offense got cooking at the 12:15 mark. Gabe Klassen made a jaw-dropping move to dance around a defender, then slid a pass to his right for Jagger Joshua, who slammed in a one-timer from the slot. 1:42 later, the Nailers took the lead. Jordan Martel tipped a Kyle Jackson pass on goal, which produced a rebound for Matty De St. Phalle to flip into the right side of the cage with his backhand. With 1:34 to go, De St. Phalle potted another one, as he grabbed a loose puck in the right circle, and whipped a wrist shot into the left side of the twine.
The visitors upped their lead with another goal in the middle frame. Martel carried the puck in on the right side of the slot, then spotted an open Kyle Jackson, who drilled home a one-timer from the slot.
Neither team tallied in the third period, as Wheeling carried the 4-1 score to the finish line.
Taylor Gauthier earned the victory in goal for the Nailers, as he turned away 28 of the 29 shots he faced. Keith Petruzzelli took the loss for the Royals, as he made 30 saves on 34 shots.
The Nailers and Royals will meet again in Reading on Saturday at 7:00. Wheeling's next home game is a Frosty Friday on December 20th at 7:10 against Toledo. The next Big-6 Promotional Game is Star Wars Night on January 11th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Martel, Nailers Rip Apart Royals, 6-2
Wheeling Wins 11th Straight & Extends Point Streak to 14
WHEELING, WV- Jordan Martel has been a prolific goal scorer during his time with the Wheeling Nailers, and when the Reading Royals are the opponent, he takes it to another level. Martel netted his third career hat trick against the Royals on Sunday afternoon, becoming just the second player in team history to record three against the same opponent (Tim Tisdale vs. Erie). That was half of the team's goal total, as the Nailers filled up the net with six in a 6-2 triumph at WesBanco Arena. Head Coach Derek Army also got to add to the history books on Sunday, as he earned his 125th career win, which puts him ahead of Doug Sauter for second place on the club's all-time list. The victory was Wheeling's 11th in a row, and the Nailers have points in 14 straight contests, which matches the team's all-time record set in 1997-98.
The Nailers notched the lone goal of the first period, which came at the 8:34 mark. Jack Beck sent the puck toward the front of the net, where multiple bodies were ready to put in the work. Matty De St. Phalle ultimately tipped a pass over to David Jankowski, who bounced in his shot from the left side of the crease.
Wheeling expanded its lead in the middle frame. Jordan Martel netted the team's second goal of the day at the 3:53 mark, when he raced out of the penalty box, accepted a pass from Gabe Klassen, and proceeded to lift a breakaway goal in off of goaltender Keith Petruzzelli's left arm. Reading temporarily pulled within one on Gianfranco Cassaro's wrist shot from the top of the left circle. However, the Nailers added two key insurance tallies with less than three minutes remaining. Logan Pietila navigated his way to the top of the crease to tap in a centering feed from Bennett MacArthur, then Martel potted his second of the period off of an offensive zone face-off win in the right circle.
Putting the game away in the third period was far from an issue for the home team. Matty De St. Phalle sifted a shot through Petruzzelli's legs at the 1:37 mark, then Martel completed his hat trick by roofing a wrist shot from the right circle for the 6-2 final score. Tyler Gratton recorded the other Royals goal in the middle of those two.
Sergei Murashov snatched his eighth straight win in goal for the Nailers, as he thwarted 27 of the 29 shots he faced. Keith Petruzzelli allowed six goals on 30 shots in the loss for Reading.
The Nailers and Royals will meet up again in Reading on Friday and Saturday, with each game starting at 7:00. Wheeling's next home game is a Frosty Friday on December 20th at 7:10 against Toledo. The next Big-6 Promotional Game is Star Wars Night on January 11th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Gauthier Blanks Cyclones for Tenth Straight Win
Derek Army Ties Doug Sauter for Second With 124th Victory Behind the Bench
CINCINNATI, OH- The Wheeling Nailers have done a lot of things in the first quarter of the 2024-25 season, and on Saturday afternoon, they checked off another item. Taylor Gauthier recorded the club's first shutout of the campaign, as he stopped all 17 Cincinnati Cyclones shots he faced in a 3-0 triumph at Heritage Bank Center. Matty De St. Phalle, Jagger Joshua, and Justin Lee were the goal scorers for Wheeling, who won for the tenth time in a row and extended its point streak to 13 straight games (12-0-1).
The Nailers got off to another terrific start, as they turned on the red light twice in the first period. The opening goal came at the 10:16 mark. Justin Lee broke a stick on his shot from the right point, which got redirected into the corner. Kyle Jackson pounced on the loose change immediately, then proceeded to set up Matty De St. Phalle in the low slot, where he flipped a shot into the left side of the cage. Wheeling added to its lead with 1:31 left on the clock during a stretch of 4-on-4 action. Chris Ortiz won a battle along the right wall, then delivered a pass to Jagger Joshua along the right side of the goal line. Joshua muscled his way to the crease, and used his reach to tuck a shot around goaltender Vyacheslav Peksa and in.
The rest of the contest was a defensive clinic, as the two teams combined for just 22 shots on goal over the course of the final 40 minutes. One of those shots went in for the Nailers at the 4:39 mark of the third. David Drake set up Justin Lee, who absolutely destroyed a one-timer into the right side of the twine. That was the final marker in Wheeling's 3-0 win.
Taylor Gauthier earned his sixth career shutout with the Nailers, as he was perfect on 17 shots in the victory. Vyacheslav Peksa made 18 saves on 21 shots for Cincinnati.
The Nailers will wrap up the weekend on Sunday afternoon at 4:10, when they play host to the Reading Royals. That will be the first ever Sensory Day game at WesBanco Arena. The goal horn will not be utilized, music will be lowered, there will be no flashing lights, and there will be a quiet room. That game will also feature the traditional Sunday post game skate, and all Nailers players will be skating. The next Big-6 Promotional Game is Star Wars Night on January 11th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Late Game Heroics Key Nailers Ninth in a Row
Wheeling Scores Three in Final Six Minutes to Turn 2-1 Deficit into 4-2 Win
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers have gained tons of confidence, thanks to their fantastic play over the course of the last month, and they showed that on Friday night at WesBanco Arena. Wheeling trailed the Kalamazoo Wings 2-1, before scoring three times in the final six minutes of the game to thrill the home crowd with a 4-2 victory. Jordan Martel scored the tying goal, then assisted on Sam Houde's winning strike, while Sergei Murashov made 31 saves. The Nailers extended their winning streak to nine games, their point streak to 12 games (11-0-1), are 8-0-1 at home, and at 13-3-1, have the best 17-game start in the 33-year history of the team.
The Nailers got lots of great opportunities in the first period, as they outshot Kalamazoo, 17-8. However, the lone goal in the stanza was scored by the visitors. Ayden MacDonald curled out of the right corner to the bottom of the right circle. The forward waited for traffic to set up in front of the goal, then found himself a tiny hole to squeeze a shot through to give the Wings a 1-0 lead.
Wheeling kept the shots coming in the middle frame, and got rewarded with a tying goal at the 4:19 mark. Kalamazoo attempted a pass to exit the defensive zone, but that was denied by Jack Beck, who immediately looked to create offense. Beck spotted Kyle Jackson wide open on the right side of the crease, and Jackson slammed his shot into the undefended cage.
The Wings regained the lead at the 9:51 mark of the third. Travis Broughman battled his way down the slot, and ultimately muscled a shot through Sergei Murashov. At that point, the Nailers just needed one break to turn the game around. That came with 7:31 left, when Jay Keranen's high stick drew blood on Jordan Martel to give Wheeling a four-minute power play. Martel was more than ready to capitalize on the opportunity, as he set up in the left circle and wired a one-timer from Chris Ortiz into the top-left corner of the net. That was the exact jolt of energy the Nailers needed, and 2:58 later, Martel delivered a one-time pass to Sam Houde, who launched a one-timer from the right side of the slot into the top-right corner of the twine for the team's first lead of the match. Jagger Joshua put the finishing touches on the 4-2 triumph with an empty netter, which was set up by Matt Koopman.
Both goaltenders were outstanding. Sergei Murashov earned his seventh straight win for Wheeling, as he denied 31 of the 33 shots he faced. Jonathan Lemieux received the loss for Kalamazoo, after making 37 saves on 40 shots.
The Nailers will make a quick trip out to Cincinnati on Saturday to face the Cyclones at 4:00. Wheeling will then return home on Sunday at 4:10 to face Reading for the first ever Sensory Day. The goal horn will not be utilized, music will be lowered, there will be no flashing lights, and there will be a quiet room. That game will also feature the traditional Sunday post game skate, and all Nailers players will be skating. The next Big-6 Promotional Game is Star Wars Night on January 11th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Toss Around Teddy Bears & Cyclones, 7-1
Kyle Jackson Scores Teddy Bear Goal as Part of Four-Point Night
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers put forth a legendary performance on a night when two former players were inducted into the Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame. Kyle Jackson was the top offensive performer, as his goal for the Teddy Bear Toss kickstarted a two-goal, four-point, +5 night, leading Wheeling to a 7-1 triumph over the Cincinnati Cyclones. The Nailers now have an eight-game winning streak, an 11-game point streak(10-0-1), and have at least one point in 11 consecutive home games (10-0-1) dating back to the end of last year's regular season.
The stuffed animals for the annual Teddy Bear Toss took flight early, as the Nailers needed just 4:12 to open the scoring. Jack Beck dropped a pass into the bottom of the left circle for Kyle Jackson, who clobbered a one-timer into the top-right corner of the cage. Wheeling probably hoped more fur would come down, as the lead got upped to two 1:15 later. Gabe Klassen set up Logan Pietila for a one-timer that got stopped, but the rebound was shoveled up and in by Bennett MacArthur.
Cincinnati briefly pulled within one in the early stages of the middle frame, when Jacob Frasca slid in a shot on the power play from the right side of the low slot. The Nailers grabbed some huge momentum around the midway mark of the period, as they killed off a two-man disadvantage for over a 1:06, and translated that into an insurance goal 34 seconds after the final penalty expired. Matty De St. Phalle held onto the puck in the bottom of the left circle to draw the attention of the defense, then delivered a perfect pass through the low slot for a slam dunk of a one-timer by Jackson. Jackson came inches away from completing a hat trick later in the stanza, as his shot from the left circle deflected off of Atley Calvert on its way into the goal.
Wheeling drove the game to the finish line in the third by putting three more markers on the board. Sam Houde roofed a wrist shot into the top-right corner on a power play at the 2:01 mark, Louie Roehl tapped in a cross-crease pass from Matt Koopman at 10:01, then De St. Phalle slammed home a one-time dish by Jack Beck with 8:04 remaining for a 7-1 final score.
Taylor Gauthier was victorious in his first start of the season, as he denied 31 of the 32 shots he faced for the Nailers. Jon Gillies took the loss for the Cyclones, as he allowed seven goals on 31 shots.
The Nailers will play two more home games next weekend. Friday night at 7:10, Wheeling will play host to Kalamazoo, and the concourse will be filled with holiday spirit with the annual Small Business Holiday Village. That game will also be a Frosty Friday with select $2 beers. On Sunday afternoon at 4:10, the Nailers will face Reading for the first ever Sensory Day game. The goal horn will not be utilized, music will be lowered, there will be no flashing lights, and there will be a quiet room. That game will also feature the traditional Sunday post game skate, and all Nailers players will be skating. The next Big-6 Promotional Game is Star Wars Night on January 11th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Shop for Five Goals on Black Friday
Gabe Klassen Scores Twice; Wheeling Matches Best 15-Game Start in Team History
CINCINNATI, OH- The Wheeling Nailers hadn't seen many power plays over the past few weeks, so they were hungry for chances on Friday afternoon at Heritage Bank Center. Wheeling converted on three of five opportunities with a Cincinnati Cyclone in the penalty box, and rolled to a 5-1 triumph. Gabe Klassen started the scoring for the Nailers, and finished with two goals and an assist in support of Luke Richardson, who won his Wheeling debut in the crease. The Nailers are now on a seven-game winning streak, a ten-game point streak (9-0-1), and have matched the best 15-game start in team history (2005-06 & 2008-09) with 23 points.
One goal was scored in the first period, as a neutral zone turnover resulted in Cincinnati getting onto the board. Tristan Ashbrook stole a pass in center ice, and immediately rushed down the left side of the ice on a 2-on-1 break. Ashbrook kept the puck to himself, and roofed a wrist shot into the top-left corner of the cage. There was also a fight in the opening stanza, as Matthew Quercia delivered a punishing check along the end boards, then got asked to drop the gloves with Rhett Parsons.
Wheeling successfully turned things around by lighting the lamp three times in the middle frame. The tying and go-ahead strikes both came on the power play. Gabe Klassen knotted the score at the 5:17 mark, when he set up at the right face-off dot, and drove a Jordan Martel pass into the top-right corner of the twine. Klassen and Martel were also involved on goal number two, as Klassen fed a one-time pass across to Martel in the left circle. That shot got stopped, but it produced a rebound, which was tucked in by Matthew Quercia on the right side of the crease. The Nailers added one more goal 1:24 after that. Chris Ortiz let a wrist shot go from the top of the left circle, which flew into the top-right corner of the net.
The visitors added two more insurance goals in the third period for the 5-1 victory. Klassen netted his second of the contest, when he took a cross-ice pass from Martel, flew down the left side, and zipped a wrist shot into the top-right corner. Kyle Jackson punctuated the scoring with Wheeling's third power play goal, as he sifted in a one-timer from the right face-off dot.
Luke Richardson collected the win in his debut for the Nailers, as he tossed away 19 of the 20 shots he faced. Vyacheslav Peksa took the loss for the Cyclones, as he allowed five goals on 20 shots.
The Nailers and Cyclones will match up again on Saturday night, when the scene will shift to WesBanco Arena for a 7:10 face-off. That game will be Hall of Fame Night, when former players Tomas Vokoun and Steve Gibson will be inducted in the Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame. There will also be a full team post game autograph session, plus the annual Teddy Bear Toss will take place to benefit the Salvation Army. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Feast on Fish Before Thanksgiving
Mats Lindgren Scores Twice & Sergei Murashov Stops 36
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers continued their stellar play at WesBanco Arena on Wednesday night, and got some revenge in the process, as they took down the Toledo Walleye, 4-1. Defenseman Mats Lindgren netted Wheeling's first two goals of the night, while fellow 20-year old Sergei Murashov won his sixth straight start with 36 saves. The Nailers extended their winning streak to six games, their point streak to nine games (8-0-1), and now have points in ten straight regular season home games (9-0-1) dating back to last season.
The Nailers got off to a terrific start, as they scored twice in the first period. The first goal came quickly at the 1:29 mark. Jordan Martel wired a pass across the ice to send Mats Lindgren in alone on the left side of the offensive zone. Lindgren breezed his way into the circle, then drove a shot into the top-right corner of the cage. Lindgren was also responsible for the second marker, which came with 3:15 remaining. The rookie blueliner dangled his way to the right side of the slot, where he flipped a backhander into the top-left corner.
Toledo battled back to within one during the middle frame, as the visitors scored just two seconds after a power play expired. Casey Dornbach set up Griffin Ness in the bottom of the left circle, where he placed a wrist shot into the right side of the goal. The Walleye outshot Wheeling, 12-5 in period two.
In the third period, the Nailers looked to their defense and goaltending to carry them into the win column, and they delivered in a big way, which included a successful three-minute penalty kill. Louie Roehl and Bennett MacArthur applied the finishing touches to the 4-1 triumph with a couple of empty netters in the closing minutes.
Sergei Murashov was spectacular again for Wheeling, as he extended his personal winning streak to six games by blocking away 36 of the 37 shots he faced. Jan Bednar took the loss for the Walleye, as he made 18 saves on 20 shots.
The Nailers will play a home-and-home series against the Cincinnati Cyclones this weekend, beginning on Friday afternoon in Cincinnati at 1:35. The Saturday 7:10 game in Wheeling will be Hall of Fame Night, as Tomas Vokoun and Steve Gibson will be inducted into the Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame. That night will also be the annual Teddy Bear Toss, when fans throw a new or gently used stuffed animal onto the ice after the first goal by the Nailers. The stuffed animals will be donated to the Salvation Army. Additionally, there will be a full team post game autograph session. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Get Final Say in Wild 6-4 Win at Fort Wayne
Atley Calvert Scores First Pro Hat Trick; Matt Koopman Nets Game Winner With 1:34 Left
FORT WAYNE, IN- Saturday night was the only game of the week for the Wheeling Nailers, and they utilized every ounce of energy they had to defeat the Fort Wayne Komets, 6-4 at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Both teams had two-goal leads evaporate, as Fort Wayne led 2-0 and Wheeling led 4-2, before the Nailers went ahead for good on Matt Koopman's tally with 1:34 remaining. Atley Calvert was Wheeling's top offensive performer, as he netted his first career hat trick, while Sergei Murashov racked up 48 saves in the crease. The Nailers have now won five straight games, have points in eight consecutive contests (7-0-1), and have beaten Fort Wayne five straight times for the first time ever.
The Komets controlled a good portion of the first period, but a late sequence gave Wheeling some energy to carry into the intermission. Fort Wayne lit the lamp twice in a span of 2:26, and both were rebound strikes by Odeen Tufto. The opening tally came off of an offensive zone face-off, as Brannon McManus tossed a puck toward the goal, which got redirected by Ethan Keppen. The deflection caused chaos, and ultimately led to the puck landing in the crease, where it got tapped in by Tufto. The second marker started with a defensive zone draw for the Komets. Noah Ganske sprung Keppen down the right side of the ice, before he eventually jammed on the brakes and shot from the right dot. Sergei Murashov made the save, but Tufto swatted in the rebound from the slot. Late in the period, the Nailers were forced to kill a four-minute penalty for high sticking. Not only did they succeed in doing that, but also netted a shorthanded goal. Atley Calvert blocked a shot in his own end, and proceeded to lead David Jankowski in the other direction. Jankowski waited for Calvert to join in the offensive zone with him, then gave him a perfect pass, which Calvert slammed into the open left side of the goal.
Wheeling carried its momentum into the middle frame, and completely turned the match around. Sam Houde knotted the score at the 11:33 mark, when he received a pass from Jordan Martel, sped down the left side of the ice, and drove in a shot from the circle. The Nailers got their first lead of the night with 4:18 remaining. Louie Roehl made a nifty play off of the right wall, as he spun a backhand pass to Jack Beck, who stepped into the right circle, and roofed a wrist shot into the top-left corner of the cage. With less than one minute to go, Wheeling upped its lead with a successful power play conversion. Beck slipped a pass to Calvert, who danced off of the goal line and threaded a shot through his former teammate for his second tally of the contest.
The two-goal lead was maintained in the beginning of the third period, but with 8:46 left, Fort Wayne began to battle back. Darren Brady touched in a cross-ice feed from Alex Aleardi to bring the Komets within one. 2:46 later, Keppen tipped in a McManus point shot off of a Nailers icing to knot the score at four. Wheeling followed that by facing one of its most challenging tests of the evening, as a penalty was killed with 4:11 on the clock. The Nailers got the job done, and used that momentum to grab the lead back. Mats Lindgren let a shot go from the right point, which got redirected home by Matt Koopman for his first marker of the season. The Komets continued to unload a barrage of shots, but Wheeling refused to break, and with 22 seconds to go, Calvert completed his hat trick, as well as the 6-4 victory.
Sergei Murashov had his busiest night in a Nailers uniform, as he blocked away 48 of the 52 shots he faced for the win. Connor Ungar took the loss for Fort Wayne, as he gave up five goals on 23 shots.
The Nailers will return home on Wednesday night at 7:10 for their traditional Thanksgiving Eve game, which will be played against the Toledo Walleye. Fans will have the opportunity to enjoy live IWC wrestling in the main lobby, there will be $2 beers available, and turkey bowling will be played during the first intermission. Then, Saturday, November 30th is the next Big-6 Promotional Game, which is Hall of Fame Night. Tomas Vokoun and Steve Gibson will be inducted into the Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame, there will be a full team post game autograph session, and the annual Teddy Bear Toss will take place that night. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Raise the Jolly Roger on Pirates Night
Wheeling Extends Point Streak to Seven With 5-2 Win in Homestand Finale
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers are making it clear early that WesBanco Arena will not be a friendly place for opposing teams in 2024-25. On Saturday night, the Nailers closed out a five-game homestand by earning points in their seventh straight contest with a 5-2 victory over the Indy Fuel. Wheeling rolled out to a 3-0 lead in the first period, then got a pair of insurance tallies in the third to get the win to the finish line. Kyle Jackson led the way offensively with two goals and an assist, Matty De St. Phalle assisted on each of the team's first four goals, and David Jankowski chipped in with three points from the blueline. The Nailers went 4-0-1 on the homestand, are 6-0-1 in their last seven games, and lead the North Division with an 8-3-1 overall record.
The Nailers were swinging for the fences from the start, as they stormed out to a 3-0 lead in the first period. All three goals were scored from within a couple of feet of the crease. Kyle Jackson opened the scoring at the 5:07 mark, when he crashed in to lift the rebound of Matty De St. Phalle's right circle wrist shot into the top portion of the twine. Jackson helped to create the second marker as well, as he directed a shot on goal that got kicked out by Ben Gaudreau. However, the loose puck sat in the crease, before it got tapped home by David Jankowski. Wheeling turned on the red light again with 2:06 remaining. Atley Calvert scooped up the puck in the trapezoid, then wrapped it around on his forehand, which he jammed inside the left post.
Indy pushed back in the middle frame, and the margin became one. Matus Spodniak put the Fuel on the scoreboard at the 2:38 mark, when he spun along the right side of the goal line, and shoveled a shot up and into the top-right corner of the cage. Colin Bilek followed by spiking in a one-timer from the low slot, as tempers began to boil.
The Nailers maintained their one-goal advantage into the third period, then added two key insurance markers. Jackson notched his second of the night with 6:03 left on the clock, as he dangled around a defender in the right circle, then danced in alone to score with a forehand shot into the left side of the net. Sam Houde tacked on an empty netter with 2:30 remaining to put the finishing touches on Wheeling's 5-2 triumph.
Jaxon Castor was stellar in goal for the Nailers, as he earned the win by denying 30 of the 32 shots he faced. Ben Gaudreau received the loss for Indy, as he allowed four goals on 18 shots.
The Nailers will play one game next weekend, and that will be on the road against the Fort Wayne Komets on Saturday at 7:35. Wheeling will play two home games the following week around the Thanksgiving holiday. First up is the annual Thanksgiving Eve game on Wednesday, November 27th, which will feature live IWC Wrestling in the front lobby, $2 beers, and turkey bowling. Then, Saturday, November 30th is the next Big-6 Promotional Night, which is Hall of Fame Night. Former players Tomas Vokoun and Steve Gibson will be inducted into the Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame. That game will also feature the annual Teddy Bear Toss to benefit the Salvation Army. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Keep Rolling With Shootout Win
Six-Game Point Streak Puts Wheeling Into First Place Tie
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers are thoroughly enjoying their five-game homestand at WesBanco Arena, and on Friday night, they chalked up another victory. Wheeling's Sergei Murashov and Ben Gaudreau of the Indy Fuel both played terrific games in goal, as a 1-1 deadlock needed a shootout to determine a winner. Jack Beck delivered the deciding goal on the second shot for the Nailers, and Murashov was perfect on his three attempts in goal to give Wheeling the 2-1 triumph. The Nailers are 5-0-1 in their last six games, and are tied for first place in the North Division with a 7-3-1 overall mark.
Only one goal was scored during the first period, and it came right away at the 19-second mark. Wheeling iced the puck twice in a row to start the game, and the Fuel scored off of the second icing face-off. Cam Hausinger won the draw over to Brandon Saigeon, who helped the puck back to Christopher Cameron at the right point. Cameron crushed a slap shot along the ice and in on the right side of the cage. Indy's captain made his way onto the scoresheet again less than two minutes later, when he dropped the gloves with Matthew Quercia.
The Nailers had a good response in the middle frame, as they reversed the first period shots on goal with a 10-6 advantage, and also delivered a tying tally. Kyle Jackson spun a pass out of the corner to Matthew Quercia, who blasted a one-timer from the left face-off dot and into the right side of the twine.
The contest was extremely evenly matched, as the score remained tied at one through the third period, while only one shot on goal separated the two clubs. Wheeling dominated overtime with an 8-2 shots advantage, but the goaltenders continued to trade saves, and a shootout was necessary to decide a winner. Jack Beck broke through in the second round for the Nailers, as he drilled a shot through Ben Gaudreau's legs. Sergei Murashov denied Jalen Luypen, Ryan Gagnier, and Colin Bilek to put Wheeling into the win column with a 2-1 result.
Sergei Murashov was great again in goal for the Nailers, as he thwarted 24 of the 25 shots he faced during the game, before his perfect shootout performance. Ben Gaudreau was also very good in goal for Indy, as he stopped 31 of the 32 shots he faced during the game.
The Nailers and Fuel will swing for the fences in their re-match on Saturday night at 7:10, as the promotion is Pittsburgh Pirates Night. Former Pirates star Neil Walker will be signing autographs before the game, there will be a specialty hat giveaway, a trading card vendors showcase in the concourse, and the Pirate Parrot will be on hand. Plus, fans will be able to enjoy ballpark favorites, such as pierogies, peanuts, and cracker jacks. The next Big-6 Promotional Game is Hall of Fame Night on November 30th, when Tomas Vokoun and Steve Gibson will be inducted into the Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Murashov, Nailers Send Komets to Detention
Jack Beck Scores First Pro Goal, as Wheeling Improves to 16-4-3 in the Morning
WHEELING, WV- Education Day games have historically treated the Wheeling Nailers well, and on Tuesday morning at WesBanco Arena, they aced their first test of the season against the Fort Wayne Komets. Goaltender Sergei Murashov earned extra credit with a 32-save effort, and Jack Beck scored his first professional goal as part of a 3-1 triumph. Wheeling is now 16-4-3 all-time in morning contests.
The two teams played to a scoreless and penalty-free first period, as Fort Wayne held a 13-7 advantage in shots on goal. The Nailers finally broke through with the first goal of the day at the 7:08 mark of the middle frame. Chris Ortiz broke up a play in his own zone, and sent the puck ahead to Nick Hutchison. Hutchison ultimately connected with Jack Beck, who pumped the brakes in the right circle, and drove a wrist shot into the left side of the cage for his first goal as a pro.
Wheeling got a key goal in the early stages of the third period to up its lead to two. Dustin Manz took down a defender in the trapezoid, then dribbled the puck to the right side of the net, where Matthew Quercia slammed home his third goal of the year. Jack Dugan pulled the Komets within one, when he tipped in Kyle Mayhew's point shot on the power play. However, the Nailers finished the game strong, and Manz put the exclamation point onto the 3-1 win with an empty netter.
Sergei Murashov was sensational in goal for Wheeling, as rejected 32 of the 33 shots he faced. Brett Brochu received the loss for Fort Wayne, as he made 17 saves on 19 shots.
The Nailers will play two home games this weekend against the Indy Fuel on Friday and Saturday, with both matches starting at 7:10. Friday's game will be a Frosty Friday with select $2 beers. Saturday is Pittsburgh Pirates Night Starring Neil Walker. Neil will be signing autographs before the game, the Pirate Parrot will be at the game, there will be a hat giveaway, and a trading card vendor showcase. The next Big-6 Promotional Game is Hall of Fame Night on November 30th, when Tomas Vokoun and Steve Gibson will be inducted into the Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Respond With 4-3 Win on First Responders Night
Kyle Jackson Posts Three-Point Night in Home Victory
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers finished off a strong week of hockey on Saturday night at WesBanco Arena, as they earned five out of six possible points in three games. Wheeling scored twice each in the first two periods for a 4-1 lead, before ultimately securing a 4-3 win. Kyle Jackson led the way offensively for the Nailers with one goal and two primary assists, while Sergei Murashov made 27 saves.
Fans were barely settled into their seats, as the Nailers needed just 30 seconds to open the scoring. Kyle Jackson won an offensive zone face-off, then proceeded to the slot, where Jordan Martel gave him a pass to one-time into the right side of the net. Trois-Rivières tied the score at the 6:32 mark. Jakov Novak held onto the puck at the right face-off dot to allow traffic to set up, then roofed a shot into the top-right corner of the twine. Wheeling regained the lead less than four minutes later. Atley Calvert picked off a pass in neutral ice and sent Jackson breaking in on goal. The initial shot was stopped, but the rebound sat loose in the crease, where it got tapped home by Cole Cameron.
The Nailers carried great energy into the second period, and added some key goals to their lead. At the 5:49 mark, Chris Ortiz made a fabulous play, as he wound down the left side of the ice, then delivered a pass to the top of the crease, where the puck got slammed in by Nick Hutchison. 1:22 later, Wheeling struck on the power play. The home team won a puck battle behind the net, and the end result was Jackson setting up Matty De St. Phalle for an open shot and score from the bottom of the left circle. The Lions pushed back in the back half of the stanza, and trimmed the Nailers lead down to one. Sergei Murashov made a fantastic lunging save on Israel Mianscum, but the rebound kicked to Anthony Beauchamp for a lay-up. Then, with 1:37 remaining, Chris Jandric rushed from end to end and slithered a backhand through Murashov's legs.
Wheeling turned to its defense and goaltending to finish putting the result into the win column, as the match finished 4-3 in favor of the Nailers.
Sergei Murashov backstopped the victory for Wheeling, as he stopped 27 of the 30 shots he faced. Zachary Émond made 15 saves on 19 shots in the loss for Trois-Rivières.
The Nailers will continue their five-game homestand on Tuesday morning, with the first of two Education Day games this season, when they play host to the Fort Wayne Komets at 10:45. Wheeling will also play twice at home next weekend, when the Indy Fuel come to town. Friday night is a Frosty Friday, then Saturday night is Pittsburgh Pirates Night starring Neil Walker. Both face-offs take place at 7:10. The next Big-6 Promotional Game is Hall of Fame Night, when Tomas Vokoun and Steve Gibson will be inducted into the Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Lions Escape With Overtime Win
Martel, Houde, Beck All Post Multi-Point Nights for Wheeling
WHEELING, WV- Friday night's game between the Wheeling Nailers and the Trois-Rivières Lions was a back-and-forth affair, which saw lots of offense. The two teams combined for four one-goal leads, before overtime was eventually needed to determine a winner. That winner was Trois-Rivières, who capitalized on its second 4-on-3 power play of the night to prevail 5-4 in the extra session at WesBanco Arena. Jakov Novak's second goal of the game was the deciding strike for the Lions, while Jordan Martel, Sam Houde, and Jack Beck each recorded two points for the Nailers.
The Nailers controlled almost every aspect of the first period, as they outshot Trois-Rivières, 17-3. However, both teams were able to find the back of the net for a 1-1 deadlock. The Lions were first on the board at the 5:25 mark. Tommy Cormier poked the puck through to defenseman Chris Jandric, who broke in behind the defense. Jandric kept the puck on his forehand, and zipped in a shot along the ice. Wheeling utilized the power play to draw even. Sam Houde worked the puck to Jordan Martel, who dragged the puck around in the right circle, then fired a wrist shot into the left side of the cage.
The offenses opened up in the beginning of the second stanza, as the two clubs combined for four goals in a span of 6:38. The Lions took their second lead of the night at the 4:11 mark, during a 4-on-3 power play. Anthony Beauregard skated below the left face-off dot, and blazed a wrist shot into the left side of the twine. The Nailers battled back with an equalizer 59 seconds later. Matty De St. Phalle battled his way into the slot, and fought off a defender, while willing a shot up and over goaltender Hunter Jones. 3:34 after that, Wheeling went ahead for the first time. Jack Beck rushed in off of a neutral zone face-off, and had his shot stopped, but Atley Calvert charged in to bury the rebound on the right side. Trois-Rivières kept the seesaw affair going with Tyler Hyllard's tip of Anthony Beauchamp's shot, which ramped into the top-right corner for a 3-3 tie.
The Lions got some puck luck in the early stages of the third, as Jakov Novak's pass from behind the net glanced off of a Nailers skate and landed in the goal. Wheeling came back to tie things up with 8:46 to go, when Matthew Quercia smashed in a loose puck on the right side of the crease.
The tilt remained tied through the end of third period, which led to the first overtime game of the campaign for the Nailers. Unfortunately, a penalty gave the Lions their second 4-on-3 power play of the evening. They cashed in, as Novak snapped a shot into the top-right corner from the right face-off dot for a 5-4 final in favor of the visitors.
Hunter Jones got the win for Trois-Rivières, as he stopped 28 of the 32 shots he faced, including 16 of 17 in the first period. Jaxon Castor made 11 saves on 15 shots in the overtime loss for the Nailers.
The Nailers and Lions will clash again on Saturday at 7:10 for First Responders Night. Local First Responders will be assisting in the pregame presentation, and the annual Guns vs. Hoses scrimmage will take place after the contest. The next Big-6 Promotional Game is Hall of Fame Night on November 30th, as Tomas Vokoun and Steve Gibson will be inducted into the Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Blow Past Cyclones, 5-2
Sam Houde Scores Twice in Wheeling's Second Straight Win
CINCINNATI, OH- The Wheeling Nailers arrived at Heritage Bank Center ready to go from the drop of the puck on Wednesday night, as they played the first of nine head-to-head contests against the Cincinnati Cyclones. Wheeling led 2-0 after one period, and despite a pushback from Cincinnati in the second, the Nailers were on a mission, as they tallied three more times in the third for a 5-2 victory. Sam Houde scored twice for Wheeling, while Jordan Martel and Atley Calvert both contributed goals as part of multi-point nights.
The Nailers had a tremendous opening period, as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the scoreboard, while outshooting Cincinnati, 12-2. The first goal came seven seconds after a Wheeling power play expired. Atley Calvert took a feed from Matty De St. Phalle along the left side of the goal line, and quickly pivoted to his right to swing a shot into the right side of the twine. 1:38 later, the Nailers struck again. Jordan Martel whirled out from behind the net and put a pass onto the inner edge of the left circle for Sam Houde, who took a hit and drove a shot through goaltender Pavel Cajan.
The Cyclones had the better middle frame, as the hosts denied a couple of power plays, and proceeded to build momentum into two goals to even the score. At the 10:45 mark, Ty Voit chased down a loose puck on the left side of the offensive end. Voit twisted his way out toward the blueline, where he let a shot go, which got tipped in by Tristan Ashbrook. Cincinnati then picked up the equalizer during 4-on-4 action. Lincoln Griffin poked the puck into the slot to a wide-open Mathieu Gosselin, who stickhandled a bit, then stuffed a forehand shot through Sergei Murashov's legs.
The back half of the second turned out to be a blip on the radar screen, as Wheeling took control back in the third. The go-ahead strike came at the 10:27 mark, after an extended shift of offensive zone possession. The goal was scored by Kyle Jackson who took a pass from Jack Beck, and squeezed in a shot from just above the right side of the goal line. Houde added the first piece of insurance, when he roofed the rebound of Jordan Martel's initial shot, which rang off the corner of the post and the crossbar. Martel then put one inside of the iron with 2:35 go, when he flew in on a power play rush, and slid the puck around Cajan's left leg to put the finishing touches on the 5-2 triumph.
Sergei Murashov collected the win for the Nailers, as he made 18 saves on 20 shots. Pavel Cajan took the loss for the Cyclones, as he gave up five goals on 36 shots.
The Nailers will play a pair of home games this weekend at WesBanco Arena. Friday night is Military Appreciation Night at 7:10, as well as the first Frosty Friday of the season. There will be an Oath of Enlistment, specialty jerseys, and Military members will receive a free small popcorn and fountain drink with their ID. Saturday at 7:10 is First Responders Night, which will feature a post game Guns vs. Hoses scrimmage. Both Wheeling contests will be played against the Trois-Rivières Lions. The next Big Six Promotional Game is Hall of Fame Night on Saturday, November 30th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Give Sellout Crowd Improbable Ending in 2-1 Win
Wheeling Scores Twice in Final 30 Seconds to Celebrate in Front of 4,790
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers opened their home season on Saturday night, and the sellout crowd of 4,790 fans will all tell you that the ending was one they'll remember for a long time. Wheeling trailed the Bloomington Bison 1-0 with less than 30 seconds left in the third period. That's when the Nailers turned things completely around. Atley Calvert's first professional goal tied the score with 27 seconds left, then Matthew Quercia scored with 12 seconds to go, and Wheeling celebrated a 2-1 triumph on home ice. The sellout was the team's second straight in the home opener.
Both teams played and traveled on Friday night, which led to a bit of a slow start, as Bloomington outshot Wheeling, 10-5 during a scoreless opening stanza. It took all the way until the 15:38 mark of the second period for a goal to be scored, and it was the Bison who turned the tables with a shorthanded strike. Gavin Gould led the charge on a 2-on-1 rush, and poked a pass through to Eddie Matsushima barreling down the slot. Matsushima had his initial shot stopped, but pounced on the rebound, and roofed it up and under the crossbar.
The Nailers pushed back hard in the third period, and outshot Bloomington, 15-6. Wheeling got a break with 2:06 to go, when Bryce Montgomery swatted the puck over the glass for a delay of game penalty. With under 28 seconds left, the home team pulled even. A mad scramble took place in the crease, and Atley Calvert ultimately jammed a rebound through goaltender Hugo Ollas for his first professional goal. Kyle Jackson and Chris Ortiz assisted. It appeared the tilt might be headed to overtime, but with just over 12 seconds remaining, David Jankowski won a right circle face-off to Matthew Quercia, who spun in a low shot to send the sellout crowd into a frenzy. The Bison attempted a tying shot in the closing seconds, but the night belonged to the victorious Nailers, 2-1.
Jaxon Castor earned the win in goal for Wheeling, as he denied 24 of the 25 shots he faced. Hugo Ollas suffered the loss for Bloomington, as he made 27 saves on 29 shots.
The Nailers will take a quick road trip to Cincinnati on Wednesday to face the Cyclones at 7:35, before returning to WesBanco Arena for five straight home contests. The first two of those will take place on Friday, November 8th and Saturday, November 9th against the Trois-Rivières Lions. Friday's game will be Military Appreciation Night with specialty jerseys and an Oath of Enlistment, plus it will be the first Frosty Friday of the season. Saturday's game will be First Responders Night, which features a post game scrimmage of Guns vs. Hoses. The next Big-6 Promotional Night is Hall of Fame Night on November 30th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Special Teams Power Walleye Comeback Win
Mats Lindgren Scores First Pro Goal for Wheeling
TOLEDO, OH- The Wheeling Nailers nearly quieted a sellout crowd of 8,300 at Huntington Center, as the Toledo Walleye played their home opener on Friday night. Wheeling busted out to a 2-0 lead on goals by defensemen Mats Lindgren and Louie Roehl. However, the Walleye rallied back with three goals, including two power play strikes from Brandon Hawkins to collect a 3-2 win.
The Nailers got off to a great start, thanks to a pair of goals by defensemen. The first marker came at the 5:59 mark. Sam Houde curled off of the right wing wall, and spotted Mats Lindgren jumping into the high slot. Lindgren took the feed, and roofed his first professional goal into the top-right corner of the cage. Houde also set up the second tally, which came off of the rush. This time, Louis Roehl got a step on his defender, broke in alone, and shoveled a shot into the top-right corner. With under one minute to go, Toledo converted on the first power play of the match. Mitchell Lewandowski set up Brandon Hawkins, who zipped a wrist shot along the ice and in from the right face-off dot.
The Walleye turned the game around in the middle frame, as the hosts turned their 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead. Sam Craggs evened the score at the 10:07 mark, when he deposited the rebound of Conlan Keenan's initial shot. Then, in the final minute of the period, Hawkins connected for his second of the night on the man advantage, when he clobbered a one-timer from the top of the left circle into the top-left corner of the twine.
Wheeling had its best shots output in the third period, as the visitors poured 17 shots onto the goal. Unfortunately, a tying goal wasn't in the cards, despite one puck trickling to the goal line, before it was swept away, and Toledo prevailed, 3-2.
Jan Bednar got the win for the Walleye, as he made 28 saves on 30 shots. Sergei Murashov had an impressive night in the defeat for the Nailers, as he turned away 32 of the 35 shots he faced.
The Wheeling Nailers will play their home opener on Saturday night at 7:10 against the Bloomington Bison. Swaggy P (former Nailer Peter Lenes) will be performing trick shots during both intermissions, and all fans will receive a magnetic schedule. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Wheeling Splits for Second Straight Week
Matty De St. Phalle Scores Lone Goal in 34-Shot Attack
READING, PA- For the second straight week, the Wheeling Nailers have left an opposition building with a split. After a 5-4 Wheeling victory on Saturday, it was the Reading Royals who prevailed at Santander Arena on Sunday afternoon. Jacques Bouquot and Connor McMenamin both registered one goal and one assist for the host Royals, who received a 33-save effort from Keith Petruzzelli in a 4-1 home ice win.
Both teams came out strong offensively, as three goals were scored during the opening ten minutes of play, and two of those came on man advantages. Reading was first to strike at even strength at the 1:44 mark. The Royals got a numerical advantage in front of the net, as Jacques Bouquot touched the puck to his left for Connor McMenamin, who shoveled in the tally. The Royals then converted on their first power play opportunity. McMenamin's wrist shot was partially stopped by Sergei Murashov, but the rebound leaked into the crease, where it was tapped home by Bouquot. Wheeling battled to within a goal at the 9:55 mark with a power play goal of its own. Matty De St. Phalle stepped into a wrist shot in the right circle, which he sniped into the left side of the cage.
The score stayed 2-1 for nearly 38 minutes, before Reading netted an insurance tally at the 7:53 mark of the third period. Parker AuCoin grabbed the puck out of the corner, and spotted Todd Skirving in the slot, where he lifted a shot up and into the top-left corner of the cage. The Royals tacked on an empty netter from Powell Connor for a 4-1 final score.
Keith Petruzzelli earned the win for Reading, as he stopped 33 of the 34 shots he faced. Sergei Murashov took the loss for the Nailers, as he surrendered three goals on 21 shots.
The Nailers have one more game left on their season-opening five-game road journey, and that will be on Friday at 7:15 against the Toledo Walleye. Wheeling will begin its home season on Saturday, when it faces the Bloomington Bison for the first time ever. Swaggy P will be performing trick shots during both intermissions, and fans will receive a magnetic schedule. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Spoil Reading's Home Opener, 5-4
Cole Cameron & Logan Pietila Score First Professional Goals in the Win
READING, PA- The young guns came out firing for the Wheeling Nailers on Saturday night at Santander Arena, as the team collected its second win in three road games to open the regular season. Cole Cameron and Logan Pietila both scored the first goals of their professional careers, while fellow rookie Matty De St. Phalle joined in the scoring party. Sam Houde's third period goal put Wheeling ahead for good, while Pietila's marker turned out to be the winner, as the Nailers defeated the Reading Royals, 5-4 on Reading's home opening night.
The first two periods were complete opposites, as the opening stanza went by without a goal, while the middle frame saw five pucks enter the nets. The Nailers got on the board first at the 1:42 mark. Jack Beck let a long wrist shot go from just inside of the offensive blueline, and got a deflection from Matty De St. Phalle to drop the puck down and into the cage. 37 seconds later, Wheeling struck again. Beck was the catalyst once again. This time, he hesitated at the top of the right circle, then delivered a perfect feed to Chris Ortiz for a tap-in from the left side of the crease. De St. Phalle set up marker number three, when he stole the puck at the top of the left circle and turned a quick shot on goal, which was tipped home by Cole Cameron for his first as a pro. Reading got its first tally of the night just 38 seconds after that, when Todd Skirving blazed in a one-timer from the inner edge of the left circle, which was set up by Jacques Bouquot. Connor McMenamin made the score 3-2, when he pounced on a loose puck and converted from the low slot.
The Royals eventually pulled even for a brief time in the early goings of the third period, when Connor McMenamin hammered in a one-timer from the bottom of the right circle off of a pass by Shane Sellar. The Nailers quickly rebounded to go back on top 3:15 later. Jordan Martel shimmied the puck along the left wing wall to send Sam Houde and Matt Koopman on a 2-on-0 break. Houde initially gave Koopman a pass, but Koopman returned the favor, and Houde tossed the puck into the open left side of the cage. Logan Pietila then added what turned out to be a key insurance goal, when he sniped his first professional goal into the top-left corner from the left face-off dot. That became the game winner, as Skirving's shorthanded strike with 1:05 remaining made the final score 5-4 in Wheeling's favor.
Sergei Murashov was the victorious goaltender in his debut for the Nailers, as he made 16 saves on 20 shots. Wheeling defeated last week's ECHL Goaltender of the Week, as Parker Gahagen allowed five goals on 36 shots in the loss for Reading.
The Nailers and Royals will meet up again in Reading on Sunday at 3:00. Wheeling will begin its home season next Saturday, November 2nd at 7:10, when it faces the Bloomington Bison for the first time ever. Swaggy P will be performing trick shots during both intermissions, and fans will receive a magnetic schedule. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Maine Splits Weekend Series with Identical 4-1 Final
Sam Houde Scores Lone Wheeling Goal; Nailers Travel to Reading Next Weekend
PORTLAND, ME- 4-1 was the score of the weekend, as the Wheeling Nailers and Maine Mariners split their two-game series at Cross Insurance Arena. After Wheeling was victorious in Friday's season opener, Maine evened the score in the second contest on Saturday. Jacob Hudson and Evan Vierling both posted three-point nights for the Mariners in support of goaltender Ryan Bischel, who won his professional debut. Sam Houde notched the lone marker for the Nailers.
For the second night in a row, the game started out with a bang. Matthew Quercia delivered a punishing clean hit on Maine's Turner Ripplinger. Wyllum Deveaux challenged Quercia to a fight, which came to an end when Quercia landed a powerful uppercut. One goal was scored in the first period, and it went in by inches for Maine. Evan Vierling aired a pass through the low slot to Jacob Hudson on the left side. Hudson got just enough of the puck to send it trickling in over the goal line. The call was originally no goal, but was overturned after video review.
The Nailers battled back to even the score at the 2:50 mark of the middle frame. Sam Houde took a pass from Jared Westcott, and spun his way around the offensive zone into the slot. Looking directly at the net, Houde lifted a wrist shot into the top-left corner. The Mariners answered with two goals to go ahead by a pair. Moments after an icing call against Wheeling, Deveaux took a handoff from Justin Bean, swung his way into the high slot, and drove a wrist shot into the top-right corner of the cage. Maine followed that up with a power play strike, as Hudson dropped a pass off to Millman, who walked into the high slot, and fired a shot into the left side of the twine.
The Mariners locked things down defensively in the third period, as they limited Wheeling to four shots on goal in the final 20 minutes. Maine put the finishing touches on its 4-1 win with Evan Vierling's empty net goal, as he ended the night with three points.
Ryan Bischel earned the win in his professional debut for the Mariners, as he turned away 25 of the 26 shots he faced. Jaxon Castor made 29 saves on 32 shots in the defeat for the Nailers.
The Nailers will continue their five-game road stretch with two contests next weekend against the Reading Royals on Saturday at 7:00 and Sunday at 3:00. Wheeling will play its home opener on Saturday, November 2nd against the Bloomington Bison at 7:10. Swaggy P will be performing trick shots during both intermissions. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
Nailers Magnificent in Maine to Start Season
Gabe Klassen & Phip Waugh Both Score First Pro Goals in 4-1 Win
PORTLAND, ME- The Wheeling Nailers had the exact start to the season they were looking for on Friday night, as they earned their first ever triumph in the State of Maine. Gabe Klassen and Phip Waugh both scored their first professional goals, while Jordan Martel snapped a 1-1 deadlock in the second period to propel Wheeling to the 4-1 road win over the Maine Mariners at Cross Insurance Arena. Jaxon Castor was the winning netminder with 25 stops.
The game got started with some fireworks, as Wheeling's Matthew Quercia and Maine's Justin Bean threw down the gloves 2:38 into the contests. That emotional boost favored the Nailers, who opened the scoring 1:22 later with a power play strike. Kyle Jackson played the puck to Atley Calvert along the left side of the goal line, and Calvert promptly delivered a feed to Gabe Klassen, who drilled a one-timer into the right side of the cage for his first professional goal. Maine drew even at the 8:58 mark, when former Nailer Evan Vierling maneuvered his way into the high slot and roofed a wrist shot off of the left side of the crossbar and in.
Wheeling's power play converted again at the 3:01 mark of the middle frame, as the visitors retook the lead. Chris Ortiz chipped a pass to Jordan Martel along the left wing wall. Martel twirled his way into the slot, and shoveled a wrist shot into the top-left corner of the net.
The Nailers locked things down defensively in the third period, and got some breathing room with a pair of insurance markers. Phip Waugh put Wheeling ahead by two at the 5:07 mark, when he stepped up to the top of the left circle and shoveled a wrist shot into the top-right corner of the twine for his first goal as a pro. Kyle Jackson iced the 4-1 triumph with an empty netter, which was set up by Jack Beck's first career point.
Jaxon Castor earned the victory in goal for the Nailers, as he began his second pro season with 25 saves on 26 shots. Nolan Maier took the loss for the Mariners, as he was bested three times on 23 shots.
The Nailers and Mariners will meet up again on Saturday at 6:00 in Portland, as the team continues its five-game season-opening road stretch. Wheeling will play its home opener on Saturday, November 2nd against the Bloomington Bison at 7:10. Swaggy P will be performing trick shots during both intermissions. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.