WHEELING, WV – The Wheeling Nailers scored four power play goals, and Mikael Bedard’s five-point night helped lead the Nailers to a 7-4 victory over the Trenton Devils in front of 4,042 at WesBanco Arena Saturday night. With the win, the Nailers extend their lead in the North Division to 10 points.
Wheeling scored first on a goal in front by Casey-Pierro Zabotel just 2:34 in the contest. Trenton responded on a wrap-around goal by Kory Nagy to tie the game at one. Trevor Hunt’s power play goal, gave the Nailers the lead right back at 13:10. Hunt fired the puck on a shot which changed directions several times before hitting the stick of Trenton’s Martin Nolet and directing into the net for the goal, to give Wheeling a 2-1 lead at the end of one.
Mickael Bedard made it 3-1 on his ninth goal of the season at 12:17 of the second period. The Nailers thought they had extended the lead to 4-1, but David Marshall’s shorthanded goal was wiped out due to a Wheeling slashing penalty behind the play. The penalty kept the score at 3-1, and gave Trenton a 5-on-3 advantage. The Devils converted on the initial penalty at 16:22 to pull his team within one, 3-2. Moments later as the second penalty expired, Ryan Ginand’s shot from the circle beat Patrick Killeen to tie the game at three. The tie game didn’t last long as the Joey Haddad scored on a turnaround shot from the circle, lifting the puck over a sliding Shane Connelly, to give Wheeling the 4-3 lead at the end of two.
The Nailers raced out of the gates in period three, as Nick Petersen scored his 23rd goal of the season at 1:09 to lift the lead to 5-3. Trevor Hunt registered his second of the game on the power play, with a hard slapshot that ripped past Connelly to extend the Nailers lead to 6-3. Wheeling continued to roll, as Nick Petersen feathered a cross-ice feed to Ben Street who buried his 23rd goal of the season to make the score 7-3. The goal extended Street’s goal scoring streak to six games. After a few scraps, Jeff Prough registered his 16th marker of the season late in the game, but it would not be enough as the Nailers would secure the 7-4 victory.
The Nailers lead the season series over the Devils 8-1. Nick Petersen finished with four points on the night (1g,3a) and extended his point scoring streak to 11 games. Mikael Bedard posted his best night of the season, with a goal, and four assists. The Nailers went 4-for-6 on the power play in the game.
The two teams will meet again tomorrow at the Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown. Game time is set for 5:05 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the War Memorial Box Office. The Nailers return to WesBanco Arena on Saturday February 5 against the Cincinnati Cyclones at 8:05 p.m. Saturday will be “Pink in the Rink” night, as the Nailers join the fight against Breast Cancer. The team will wear pink jerseys, and portions of tickets sales will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. To purchase tickets, or to inquire about our “Pink Packs” for that night, call 304-234-GOAL, or 304-234-4625.
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