WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers knew exactly what they had to do on Sunday night, as they finished a stretch of three games in three days. Nick Sorkin broke a scoreless tie in the second period with the first of his two goals, and the rest of the game belonged to the defense and goaltending. JP Anderson stopped all 24 shots he faced, as the Nailers blanked the Kalamazoo Wings, 3-0 at WesBanco Arena.
The first period was a defensive battle, which resulted in 16 combined shots on goal. None of those attempts found the back of the net. The Nailers continued their strong defensive play in the middle frame, while also producing the afternoon's first tally. A scrum at the blueline resulted in a power play, allowing Wheeling to cash in. Cody Wydo slipped a pass through the low slot to Nick Sorkin, who hammered in a shot on the right side of the crease. The goal gave Sorkin at least one point in five straight games. Michael Webster also picked up a helper, as the Nailers took a 1-0 lead, while limiting Kalamazoo to just two shots in the second period.
The brick wall in the Wheeling d-zone continued in the third period, and the Nailers iced their victory with a pair of empty netters. The first came from Andrew Ammon, who lifted his first goal of the season into the top portion of the net. Then, Sorkin drilled in his second of the day, firing in a shorthanded attempt from his own zone for a 3-0 final score.
JP Anderson backstopped his first shutout in a Wheeling uniform and second of his career, blocking all 24 shots he faced. Nick Riopel fared better than he did the previous week, but suffered the loss for Kalamazoo, after making 25 saves on 26 shots.
The Nailers will be right back on home ice Friday night for a 7:35 tilt against the Reading Royals. Veterans Day will also serve as Military Appreciation Night, when the team will wear camouflage jerseys. That will also be a Flat Screen Friday presented by The Highlands, as well as a Frosty Friday. The first celebrity appearance of the season will take place on December 3rd, when Clint Hurdle visits WesBanco Arena for Pittsburgh Pirates Night.
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