BRAMPTON, ON- The Wheeling Nailers played their first two divisional games over the weekend, and came away with two victories, running their early season record to 3-1-0. Derek Army collected three points for the second consecutive contest, including the game winning goal, as the Nailers swept their home-and-home series with the Brampton Beast, winning the finale, 4-3 at Powerade Centre.
The Nailers got off to a flying start, scoring twice in a span of 41 seconds during the first four minutes of play. The first goal came off of an odd-man rush, which was started by Paul Cianfrini, who chipped a pass off of the right wing boards. The pass connected to Shane Bakker, who skated into the offensive zone on a 2-on-1 with Cody Wydo. Bakker dished a perfect pass to Wydo, who finished into the wide open side of the cage. Tally number two was the result of an offensive zone face-off win by Derek Army. Army won a draw back to Clark Seymour, whose left point wrist shot flew over Edward Pasquale’s left shoulder.
Brampton had the better beginning of the second period, as it potted a pair of goals to draw even. At the 3:50 mark, Angelo Miceli connected with Mathew Maione, who drilled in a one-timer from the middle of the blueline. 2:13 later, the equalizer came in the form of Brandon Marino’s turnaround shot from the bottom of the left circle. However, the tie was short-lived, as Wheeling regained the lead just 57 seconds after Marino’s marker. Riley Brace’s power play slap shot from the top of the right circle got blocked to Derek Army, who immediately put the puck back toward the goal. John McCarron ended up getting the final piece of the rebound, tipping home his first professional goal.
Shortly after the midway mark of the third period, the Nailers netted what turned out to be an enormous insurance goal. Sahir Gill’s right circle shot was stopped, but the rebound deflected to Derek Army, who roofed a backhander for his second goal and sixth point of the weekend. The tally was also Wheeling’s fifth on the power play in its last three tilts. The Beast got one goal back with 4:26 left in regulation, when Brandon Marino blasted in a power play goal from the top of the right circle, but the Nailers held them at bay for the rest of the afternoon, going on to the 4-3 win.
Brian Foster backstopped his first win in a Wheeling uniform, turning away 29 of the 32 shots he faced. Edward Pasquale made 28 saves on 32 shots for Brampton, taking the loss for the second time in as many games on the weekend.
Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.