Description:
The Wheeling Nailers scored 2 goals in a 3rd period comeback attempt that
feel just short in a 5-4 setback at home to the Cincinnati Cyclones on
Moondog Bobblehead night at WesBanco Arena. The loss ends Wheeling's 3 game
win streak which was their 3rd such streak in a row. The Nailers have won 9
of their last 12 games.
The Nailers remain in first place in the North Division with 41 standings
points. They are 2 points ahead of 2nd place Johnstown and 4 points ahead of
the 3rd place Dayton Bombers.
Cincinnati's defense came into the game as the 2nd worst in the league
surrendering 3.9 goals per game but didn't look it in this contest as they
limited Wheeling to just 22 shots on goal, their second lowest total of the
year.
T.J. McElroy led the Cyclones attack with a pair of goals and Loic Lacosse
picked up the win in net to improve to 2-1-1.
David Brown took the loss for the Nailers allowing 5 goals on 27 Cyclones
shots to fall to 5-2-2.
Tobias Holm (8), Matt Grennier (8), Bryan Ewing (13) and Andrew Lord (8) all
lit the lamp for the Nailers.
Ewing's goal at 8:58 of the 3rd closed the gap to 5-3 but several Nailers
penalties after that kept the Nailers from generating too many opportunities
as the Cyclones were able to keep it in Wheeling's end.
With time winding down and both teams with a player in the box the Nailers
pulled goalie David Brown and Andrew Lord tipped in a Mitch Ganzak drive
from the right point with 1:15 remaining to cut the margin to 5-4.
The Nailers had several opportunities after that on the power play and with
the goalie pulled for a 6-on-4 attack but the Cyclones defenders continued
to do what they did so effectively all game long by getting in the way and
blocking the Nailers shot attempts.
Wheeling is 4-1-1 against Cincinnati this year. The two teams will become
well acquainted in the next 2+ weeks as they face 5 more times between now
and January 17th. After that the Nailers and Cyclones will not play each
other again for the rest of the regular season.
Wheeling will be on the road Sunday at 5:00 at the Dayton Bombers. They will
return to home-ice on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, December 31 with a 7:05
tilt against the Cincinnati Cyclones.
Great New Years Eve packages are available now. For $175 you get hotel
accommodations in Wheeling, tickets to the New Year's Eve party at
Generations Pub and Restaurant, and 2 tickets to the Nailers game that
night.
For more information contact the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL or log on at
wheelingnailers.com.
