Two Points Slip Away to Beast

BRAMPTON, ON- The Wheeling Nailers will look forward to their next time onto the ice, as Monday's result at Powerade Centre left a sour taste in their mouths. Wheeling carried a 2-1 lead into the third period on goals by Nick Sorkin and Cody Wydo, but surrendered two tallies in a span of 56 seconds to the Brampton Beast, who locked up a huge 3-2 divisional win.

Both teams lit the lamp during the opening stanza. The first goal went to Brampton. Chris Leveille fed a pass across neutral ice to Josiah Didier on the right side. Didier took a wrist shot from the circle, which was partially stopped, on its way off of the right post. The rebound sat in the crease, where it was tapped in by David Ling. The Nailers got their goal a little more than six minutes later, while playing on the man advantage. Kevin Schulze took the puck at the middle of the blueline, before dishing off to Nick Sorkin on his right side. Sorkin glided to the top of the right circle, where he roofed a wrist shot into the top-left corner of the net.

Midway through the second period, Wheeling went ahead for the first time in the afternoon. Schulze battled a loose puck through center ice for Cody Wydo on the left side. Wydo attempted a pass through the slot, which got blocked, but the rebound went back to the Nailers leading scorer, who swung behind the goal, and tucked a wraparound inside the right post.

Unfortunately, the third period was not one to remember for the visitors, who saw their lead disappear. At the 9:03 mark, Jordan Henry took advantage of some extended time in the offensive zone, gobbling up a loose puck in the slot, and stashing it through the leg pads. 56 seconds later, Brampton went ahead. Connor Crisp won a battle for the puck in the trapezoid, then proceeded to set up Chris Auger, who slammed in a one-timer. The Nailers had two power plays in the final eight minutes, but were unable to come up with an equalizer, as the Beast prevailed, 3-2.

Zachary Fucale got the win for Brampton, making 26 saves on 28 shots. Sean Maguire stood on his head with 38 stops for Wheeling, but got saddled with the defeat.

The Nailers will continue their seven-game road trip on Friday night, when they visit the Toledo Walleye at 7:15. Wheeling's next homestand will take place on March 10th, 11th, and 12th. The 10th is a Flat Screen Friday and Frosty Friday at 7:35 against Quad City. The Mallards are the opponent on the 11th at 7:05, which is Duck Dynasty Night, starring John Godwin and Justin Martin. Finally, the weekend wraps up on the 12th, which is Youth Hockey Day at 5:05 against Toledo. To purchase tickets, or to get more information about season tickets, mini plans, group tickets, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.