WHEELING, WV – The Wheeling Nailers went into their home opener at WesBanco Arena unbeaten after a sweep of the Swamp Rabbits in Greenville. The Nailers were hoping to build on their recent success having scored 12 goals in the first two games while improving on the 10 goals allowed over that span. On the other side of the ice, the Cincinnati Cyclones were trying to rebound after a tough loss in their own home opener.
Early in the first period, the Naliers controlled the puck in the attacking zone. The Cyclones failed to clear for nearly two minutes. Then Nick Sorkin took an interference penalty, putting the Cyclones on the power play. The penalty kill was solid and the Nailers got back on the attack unscathed.
Midway through the first, the Wheeling breakouts were clean but they were having trouble generating quality scoring chances. The Nailers went on the power play at 5:32 when Brycen Martin was called for interference, but the Cyclones penalty killing was solid and shut them down.
Soon after, the Cyclones got their second power play when Derek Army was called for slashing. Cincinnati would take full advantage when Justin Danforth wristed one past Colin Stevens in front of the crease. Danforth’s goal was assisted by Jesse Schultz and Eric Knodel. After one period, the Cyclones led 1-0.
The second period began and the Nailers went on the power-play almost immediately due to a Martin high stick. Again, Wheeling failed to cash in. Cincinnati made the most of the power play they received when Jeremy Biernes was nabbed for slashing when Colin Stevens buried one from the point through a screen to put the Cyclones up by two.
The Nailers countered with a 4-on-4 goal in the second when Garret Meurs and Arvin Atwal mixed it up in front of the net. They would add another after Cody Wydo and Brandon McNalley dropped the gloves when Reid Gardiner chipped a 4-on-3 man advantage goal past Anthony Peters. Wheeling fired off 22 shots during the period and after two periods had 30 to the Cyclones 20 shots on goal.
The third period picked up where the second left off and after a skirmish between Meurs and Atwal, another 4-on-4 ensued. After a brief back and forth, the Nailers had a clean breakout and Army took a feed from Zach Tolkinen to beat Peters to the blocker side. From that point on, Wheeling went into lock down mode. They successfully limited the Cyclones chances and Stevens was able to hold the lead.
With a minute and a half remaining, Cincinnati pulled their netminder and came at Stevens with an extra attacker. Kenny Ryan grabbed an errant pass in the neutral zone and beat two Cyclones to add an empty netter. Wheeling held on to beat the Cyclones 4-2.
Wheeling sits at 3-0 on the season and will head to Reading tomorrow to take on the Royals for a 4 p.m. game. The Naliers are unbeaten on the road thus far and will look to continue their success.
Contact the author at keirsey@prohockeynews.com
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