WHEELING, WV- After the Nailers fought back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game,
Andrew Hotham and Zack Torquato scored in the shootout, to bring the Nailers to a
4-3 victory over the Elmira Jackals.
Only 59 seconds into the first, Zach Hansen was called for slashing, and the Nailers
went to the penalty kill. Ben Farrer had a chance on a nearly empty net, with
Stewart out to play the puck, but Elmira’s defense controlled the puck away from
Farrer, and Wheeling killed the penalty. The Nailers nearly scored from the left
circle, but Elmira goaltender Brian Stewart made a quick toe save, keeping the
Nailers off the board.
With six seconds to go, Mario Larocque took a five-minute major for elbowing, as
well as a game misconduct. The period ended with no score, and the Jackals leading
shots 10-7.
With 4:54 left on the major to Larocque, the Nailers started the second on the power
play. Stewart continued to stand tall, preventing Nailers goals on several good
chances. Paul Crowder nearly stuffed the puck past Stewart, but was unable to lift
the puck over the goaltender. The Jackals killed the penalty, but seconds later, Paul
Crowder scored his 23rd of the season from the right circle, to put the Nailers up 1-0.
Andrew Hotham and Christiaan Minella were awarded assists on the play.
Adam Ross went to the box for roughing and interference, and only 11 seconds
into the power play, Craig Rivet tied the game, with help from Artem Demkov. The
penalty clock was reset, but the Jackals scored again to give them a one-goal lead.
Matt Campanale was awarded the goal, with Jimmy Martin and Jordan Pietrus picking up
assits.
A scrum broke out behind the net, leaving Peter Merth, Andrew Hotham, Matt
Campanale, and Rob Bellamy in the penalty box. All involved sat with roughing
minors, while Merth also earned another minor for cross checking.
Kyle Bushee was called for delay of game at 11:29, and the Jackals’ lethal power play
struck ten seconds into the man advantage. Mike Radja scored his 31st of the season
off the rebound from Demkov and Gazley for a 3-1 lead.
Despite tempers flaring earlier in the game, the third period started without major
incident. Corey Tamblyn put the Nailers on the power play with a hooking minor
at 3:52. Jordon Southorn sent a shot from the high slot behind Stewart to bring the
Nailers within one. Matt Schepke and Cam Fergus were awarded assists.
Jarrett Rush was assessed two minute for closing his hand on the puck, and the
Nailers went to work on the power play. Southorn’s shot from the slot went wide
of the goal, before Bushee took a penalty of his own for high sticking. The Jackals
killed Rush’s penalty, and made a rush to the Nailers’ zone. Despite a solid effort,
the Jackals were kept off the board on the power play.
With 6:13 to go, Crowder notched his second of the night, with help from Barton
to tie the game. Radja nearly brought the puck around the corner of the net, but
Killeen got his toe on it just in time, to keep the Jackals from pulling back ahead.
Three periods and overtime weren’t enough to get a winner. Kileen and Stewart
went back and forth with saves, before Gazley scored. However, Hotham and Zack
Torquato both put the puck behind Stewart to give the Nailers a 4-3 victory in their
final game of the regular season.
In a ceremony before the game, the Nailers announced the winners of their annual
team awards.
Community Service Award: Ben Farrer
Defensive Player of the Year: Peter Delmas
Offensive Player of the Year: Paul Crowder
Unsung Hero Award: Denver Manderson
Three Stars Award: Chris Barton
Leading Scorer Award: Chris Barton
Players Player Award: Christiaan Minella
Rookie of the Year: Chris Barton & Andrew Hotham
Fan Favorite Award: Peter Lenes
Fan of the Year: Randy Stephens
The Nailers start their playoff run Tuesday night against the Kalamazoo Wings, in a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Final. Face-off at WesBanco Arena is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. For ticket information or to purchase tickets call 304-
234-GOAL (4625) or online at shop.wheelingnailers.com. You can now purchase
Nailers game tickets on your smartphone by visiting m.wheelingnailers.com
