WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers completed an extremely busy stretch on Sunday afternoon, as they not only played their fourth game in five days during the week, but their tenth game in 17 days since the holidays. Wheeling finished that group of games with a 7-2-1 record, but unfortunately, came up on the short end of a 2-1 score at WesBanco Arena against the Worcester Railers. Logan Pietila was the only Nailer to solve Michael Bullion, while Justin Gill had a goal and an assist for Worcester.
All things considered, the Nailers had a solid first period, despite the fact that they trailed by one goal. That marker came at the 10:18 mark. Justin Gill carried the puck in on the left side of the offensive zone, faked a shot, then curled around the net, and stuffed a wraparound inside of the right post.
Worcester added to its lead 1:22 into the middle frame, off of an offensive zone face-off. Gill dished the puck to the right side of the crease, where Anthony Callin had himself a tap-in.
Wheeling got some life in the early stages of the third period, as the deficit was cut to one. Gabe Klassen whipped a low shot on goal from the left side, which produced a rebound for Logan Pietila to slam home. The Nailers emptied the tank with an 11-3 shots advantage in the final stanza, but were unable to find a tying goal, as the Railers prevailed, 2-1.
Michael Bullion earned the win for Worcester, as he denied 33 of the 34 shots he faced. Taylor Gauthier suffered the defeat for Wheeling, despite making 27 saves on 29 shots.