Rubber Match Goes to Idaho, 5-1

BOISE, ID- The Wheeling Nailers opened the scoring in Saturday night's game at CenturyLink Arena, but unfortunately, that was their lone celebration of the evening. The Idaho Steelheads scored five unanswered goals, including a hat trick by Anthony Luciani, as Idaho took two of three games on home ice, winning 5-1. Gage Quinney was the lone goal scorer for Wheeling.

The two sides played to a scoreless draw in the opening period, despite both teams recording 12 shots on goal. The deadlock was finally broken by the Nailers at the 10:15 mark of the second stanza. Tyler Currier made a strong defensive play in center ice, then turned the puck up to Gage Quinney on the left side. Quinney drifted across the offensive zone to the right circle, where he roofed a shot into the top-left corner of the net. Idaho responded with a tying goal 47 seconds later. Anthony Luciani took a wrist shot from the bottom of the left circle, which squeezed its way into the twine. With 3:22 left in the period, Luciani found the twine again, skating in on a 2-on-1 rush, which he kept to himself, and buried from the left side.

The final score was far from an indication of the way the game was played, as the Steelheads salted things away with three goals in the third period. The first marker came as a result of a dump-in by Aaron Harstad. An icing call was waved off, and Idaho took advantage of its fortunate situation, as David Glen stepped up into the left circle, placing a shot into the left side of the cage. Luciani completed his hat trick with 1:33, stealing a puck in the trapezoid, then dancing out in front and shoveling a shot inside of the right post. Bryce Van Brabant made a steal and clipped in a shot from the right side with less than a minute to go for the 5-1 decision.

Landon Bow was the winning goaltender for Idaho, making 30 saves on 31 shots. Doug Carr suffered the defeat for Wheeling, coming away with 33 stops on the 38 shots he faced.

The Nailers will return to home ice for three games in the coming week. On February 15th, it's a WesBanco Winning Wednesday against Brampton at 7:05. On the 17th, Flat Screen Friday and Frosty Friday are the two promotions for a 7:35 game against Brampton. Finally, on Saturday the 18th, A Valley Divided - Steelers vs. Browns Night at 7:05 against Kalamazoo. Fans are invited to wear their favorite football team's jerseys, while having the chance to meet Merril Hoge and Earnest Byner. To purchase tickets, or to get more information about season tickets, mini plans, group tickets, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.