KALAMAZOO, MI—The Kalamazoo Wings came back from an early two goal deficit, but the Wheeling Nailers used timely scoring down the stretch as they skated to a 5-2 victory on Saturday at Wings Event Center.
Back-and-forth action highlighted the early portion of the first period, with the Nailers striking for the game’s first goal. Utilizing their speed, Riley Brace and Cody Wydo busted the Wings’ defense, creating a two-on-one chance. Wydo sailed a pass to Brace, who went to the backhand, sliding the puck between the pads of Joel Martin.
Wheeling continued to up the pressure, and were rewarded with a late power play tally in the first. Dan O’Donoghue pushed the puck on net from the blue line, which deflected off the pad of Martin and into the slot, where Andrew Cerretani was able to knock it into the net.
The Wings re-established offensive zone pressure early in the second frame, and found their used it to generate their first marker of the night. Taking advantage of an aggressive Nailers’ forecheck, Ludwig Blomstrand came in on a three-on-one, fired a heavy wrister on J.P Anderson, and connected to make it 2-1.
While on their third power play of the night, the Wings popped home their second unanswered goal to make it 2-2 late in the second period. Showcasing excellent poise and creative passing, the Wings worked the puck from the wall, to Justin Taylor behind the Wheeling net. Taylor fed a pass to Lane Scheidl, who was settled in the slot in the slot, and his one timer beat Anderson on the stick side.
The Nailers regained their one-goal advantage with their second power play strike of the night, late in the second frame. Much like the first power play, O’Donoghue ripped a shot from the blueline that Martin stopped with the pad, but Jordan Kwas was the first skater on the rebound, and notched his seventh goal of the season.
Early in the third period, the Nailers took advantage of a defensive miscue and opened their lead back to two goals. Martin came out to slow the puck behind his net, anticipating a defender to pick it up. However, Connor Leen of the Nailers stole the puck and hit the open net to make it 4-2.
Opening up their largest lead of the night, Wheeling netted their third power play goal to put the game out of reach. John McCarron camped out to the right of Martin and placed his stick in perfect position to deflect a Mathew Maione blue line blast, capping the scoring for the night.
You must be logged in to post a comment.