WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers started their home season at WesBanco Arena on Saturday night, as they welcomed former head coach Pat Bingham and the Elmira Jackals to town. The Nailers fell behind 2-0, but battled back with goals by Tim Priamo, Mickael Bedard, and Patrick Johnson to send 3,855 fans home happy with a 3-2 victory.
The Nailers controlled the play in the first period, outshooting the Jackals, 22-5. However, Elmira scored the lone goal of the frame at the 4:24 mark.. Martin Moucha received a pass from Mario Larocque, as he skated down the left side of the ice. Moucha then sent a pass through the slot to Jean Bourbeau, who slammed the puck into the bottom part of the net.
Early in the second period, the Jackals added to their lead, as Mike Ratchuk needed only five seconds of power play time to score with a wrist shot from the top of the left circle. After that, Wheeling took control for the second period in a row, outshooting Elmira, 19-6. Two of those 19 shots found the back of the twine, as the home team drew even. 3:45 into the frame, Chris Barton snapped a pass through the slot to Tim Priamo, who rifled home his first professional goal. 2:38 later, Zach Hansen carried the puck down the middle of the offensive zone, and tried a shot that got blocked. However, Mikael Bedard followed his teammate, picking the top corner of the goal with a shot over Brian Stewart’s glove.
Less than three minutes into the third period, the Nailers broke the tie. Patrick Johnson took a drop pass from Zach Hansen, and slipped a wrist shot that Stewart got a piece of, before it trickled through his legs and in over the line. Wheeling continued to keep the pressure on Elmira in the third period, finishing the game with a 56-20 advantage in shots, while taking a 3-2 score into the win column.
Patrick Killeen won his third game in as many starts, denying 18 of the 20 shots he faced for the Nailers. The Jackals’ Brian Stewart put forth a 53-save effort on the other side of the ice, but came up short.
The Nailers will be home for a pair of games next weekend, when they welcome the Gwinnett Gladiators and Trenton Titans to town on Friday and Saturday night. Both games will begin at 7:35 at WesBanco Arena.
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