Nailers Muscle Past Mallards Again, 3-2

MOLINE, IL- It was a different day and a different game, but the teams and the score were identical as the Wheeling Nailers and Quad City Mallards locked up at iWireless Center. After falling behind 2-1, the Nailers got the first professional goal from Michael Webster to tie the game, then Cody Wydo lit the lamp with ten seconds left in the second period. JP Anderson made the result stand up with his fourth straight win between the pipes, as Wheeling swept the two-game series with a second straight 3-2 triumph.

The two teams combined for three goals in the opening period, with the Nailers jumping ahead, before Quad City rallied to net the last two. Wheeling's goal came at the 4:36 mark. Nick Sorkin dished a pass into the right side of the slot, where Josh Shalla drilled a wrist shot past Adam Vay. The Mallards had an answer 1:25 later. Michael Parks skated into the right circle, before dropping off a pass for Sam Warning. Warning stepped in and lifted a shot into the top-left corner of the cage. With 3:27 left in the stanza, Quad City went ahead with a power play goal. Guillaume Gelinas teed up a slap shot from the top of the right circle, which was tipped into the net by Pavel Jenys.

The Nailers controlled the play for the majority of the second period, as they rallied back to tie the score, then eventually pulled ahead. With 3:16 remaining, Michael Webster battled through sticks, as he darted down the left side of the ice. Once he reached the circle, Webster took a wrist shot, beating Vay over the glove for his first career tally. Then, with just under ten seconds left, Cody Wydo took a feed from Shalla behind the net, stashing it into the right side of the cage. Wydo's marker came on the man advantage, marking the eighth straight game in which Wheeling has scored a power play goal.

Wheeling put up a strong wall of defense and goaltending in the third period, allowing very few opportunities for the Mallards. When the final buzzer sounded, the visitors came out on top, 3-2.

JP Anderson won his fourth game in a row for the Nailers, making 23 saves on 25 shots. Adam Vay was the losing goaltender for Quad City, despite turning away 42 of the 45 shots he faced.

The Nailers will return home on Saturday night to take on the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at 7:05. The first 2,500 fans in attendance that night will receive a Spike Eastern Conference Champions Bobblehead, courtesy of WesBanco. Additionally, 98.7 Country WOVK presents the annual Teddy Bear Toss, there will be Craft Beer Tasting, and XTO Blades for Grades. The first celebrity appearance of the season takes place the following week on December 3rd, when Clint Hurdle comes to town for Pittsburgh Pirates Night. To purchase tickets, or to receive information on season tickets, mini plans, group tickets, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.