Wheeling Nailers’ shooters saw lots of red lights this past weekend, as they found the back of the net ten times in two games. Wheeling’s record for the week was 1-1, as they fell 6-5 to the Kalamazoo Wings on Friday, before rebounding for a 5-1 road win against the Trenton Titans on Saturday.
Friday night’s playoff rematch with the Wings was the highest scoring game of the young season, as the two teams combined for eleven goals. The first two minutes of the contest gave fans a hint of what they were in for, as the two sides exchanged goals by Dean Strong and Nick Plastino. Kalamazoo built a 3-1 lead midway through the first period, before Zack Torquato brought the Nailers back within one. The second period was all about the Wings’ power play, as they found the twine three times, while allowing a shorthanded goal to Denver Manderson – the first goal of Manderson’s professional career. Trailing by three, Wheeling battled hard in the third, as Nick Plastino and Mickael Bedard cut the deficit to 6-5 with 10:02 remaining. Unfortunately, the Nailers were unable to get the equalizer, and Kalamazoo escaped with the 6-5 win. Riley Gill defeated Patrick Killeen in goal.
On Saturday night, the Nailers wasted little time in putting Friday night behind them, as they jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the first 2:02 of their tilt with the Titans. Patrick Johnson and Zack Torquato potted the two goals to put their side on top. Paul Crowder added to the lead in the second period, before Olivier Dame-Malka’s first professional goal and Denver Manderson’s second goal in as many nights iced the victory for visiting Wheeling. Denny Kearney broke up the shutout bid with one minute remaining, in an otherwise stellar night in goal for Peter Delmas, who stopped 23 of 24 shots for his second win of the campaign. Brad Phillips took the loss for Trenton.
Notable Statistics
– Olivier Dame-Malka and Denver Manderson both netted their first professional goals.
– Peter Delmas stopped 32 of 33 shots in 80 minutes of action this weekend, bringing his season totals to 2-0, 1.25 GAA, .946 Sv%.
– With points in both games this weekend, Patrick Johnson (3g, 6a), Matt Lombardi (4g, 4a), and Zach Hansen (0g, 9a) have all recorded at least one point in six of the team’s seven games this season.
– The Nailers have outshot the opposition in all seven games this season, and have registered at least 30 shots on goal in six of the seven contests.
– Denver Manderson’s shorthanded goal on Friday was Wheeling’s third of the season, which is tied for the league lead. It was also the second time this season that a Nailer scored shorthanded for his first career goal (Plastino on 10/14 at GRN).
This Week
Wed. 11/9 – WHEELING NAILERS @ Florida Everblades 7:30 PM at Germain Arena
Fri. 11/11 – WHEELING NAILERS @ Florida Everblades 7:30 PM at Germain Arena
Sat. 11/12 – WHEELING NAILERS @ Florida Everblades 7:00 PM at Germain Arena
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