Nailers vs. Steelheads Game Day Snap Shot

WHEELING NAILERS(32-26-8-0, 72 PTS, 5th North, 10th East)225 GF, 215 GAPP: 20.0% (62-for-310), 8thPK: 75.8% (194-for-256), 27th

26-D-Kevin Schulze (12 goals, 44 assists, 56 points in 62 games)11-F-Cody Wydo (29 goals, 25 assists, 54 points in 65 games)8-F-Nick Sorkin (13 goals, 39 assists, 52 points in 53 games)23-F-Garrett Meurs (23 goals, 27 assists, 50 points in 65 games)14-F-Tyler Currier (18 goals, 27 assists, 45 points in 67 games)17-F-Jordan Kwas (20 goals, 24 assists, 44 points in 58 games)31-G-Doug Carr (16-11-3 record, 3.48 GAA, .885 Sv% in 32 games)

IDAHO STEELHEADS(37-21-5-2, 81 PTS, 3rd Mountain, 5th West)217 GF, 199 GAPP: 21.5% (53-for-247), 6thPK: 85.0% (215-for-253), 4th

21-F-Jefferson Dahl (19 goals, 40 assists, 59 points in 63 games)11-F-Anthony Luciani (28 goals, 30 assists, 58 points in 64 games)26-F-Rob Linsmayer (16 goals, 33 assists, 49 points in 58 games)28-F-Will Merchant (19 goals, 26 assists, 45 points in 63 games)17-F-Joe Basaraba (19 goals, 25 assists, 44 points in 65 games)6-D-Joe Faust (13 goals, 25 assists, 38 points in 63 games)35-G-Landon Bow (16-5-2 record, 2.23 GAA, .929 Sv% in 23 games)

Head to HeadSeason Series: Steelheads 3, Nailers 2Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 1, Steelheads 1All-Time Series: Steelheads 3, Nailers 2All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 1, Steelheads 1

Fell Behind Once Too ManyThe Wheeling Nailers put forth a resilient performance on Friday night, coming back from a pair of deficits to draw even with the Idaho Steelheads at WesBanco Arena. Unfortunately, they were unable to erase a third deficit, falling 3-2 in regulation. Wheeling had a slow start, as it fell behind 1-0 in the first period, while being outshot, 13-6. At the 5:29 mark of the middle frame, the Nailers drew even, as Johnny Daniels fed Kale Kerbashian for a one-timer in the slot. Riley Bourbonnais also picked up an assist, as Kerbashian appeared on the scoresheet for the sixth game in a row with Wheeling. The home side trailed 2-1 at the end of the second period, but tied things up in the third, when Garrett Meurs clobbered in a slap shot from the left circle. Idaho's third and final lead ended up being the difference in the 3-2 setback, despite a 25-save performance by Sean Maguire.

A Late Break(away) for the SteelheadsThe Idaho Steelheads pulled one step closer to locking up their position in the Kelly Cup Playoffs on Friday night, thanks to a 3-2 triumph over the Nailers at WesBanco Arena. Brandon Anselmini put the visitors on the scoreboard at the 12:07 mark of the first period, when he sped down the right side of the ice, and roofed a shot from the right face-off dot. Wheeling battled back to even the score in the middle frame, before the Steelheads went to work on the power play to regain the lead. Will Merchant was robbed on a left pad save by Sean Maguire, but the rebound exploded out to Kellen Lain, who swatted a shot back in through a pile. After a second equalizer by the Nailers, Idaho got an enormous goal with 7:31 left in the contest, when Anthony Luciani stole the puck at his own blueline, and raced the other way, trickling in the game winning tally. Landon Bow made 27 saves, backstopping the victory.

We are a DrawThe visiting penalty box door opened eight times in Friday night's game, as Idaho was guilty of eight minor penalties, which led to Wheeling power plays. Unfortunately, the Nailers were unable to capitalize on those chances, while turning in a 4-for-5 effort on the penalty kill. Wheeling has been playing extremely disciplined hockey as of late, as the Nailers were guilty of just four infractions that led to power plays in their last three games, leading up to Friday. Meanwhile, Wheeling has been able to draw penalties better than any other team in the league, as it enters play on Saturday having gone on the man advantage 310 times. The next highest number of power plays belongs to the Orlando Solar Bears, who have had 295 opportunities, while the fewest man advantages have gone to the Indy Fuel, at 174. Allen has gone to the penalty kill 313 times to lead on that side, while Indy is at the bottom, having been shorthanded on 199 occasions.

Take a Bow, LandonGoaltender Landon Bow returned to the Steelheads in time to get the starting nod in Friday night's game, after spending time with the AHL's Texas Stars. While in Idaho, Bow has enjoyed a tremendous rookie season, as he has posted a 16-5-2 record, a 2.23 goals against average, and a .929 save percentage. Thanks to the appearance against the Nailers, his 1,318 minutes qualify him to be part of the league leaders, placing him second in goals against average and save percentage, trailing only Allen's Riley Gill, who has posted a 2.22 and a .935. Landon has defeated Wheeling three times this season, giving up four total goals, while the Nailers have gotten the better of Branden Komm twice, scoring three times in each tilt. A few weeks ago, Bow was given a two-year NHL contract by Idaho's affiliate, the Dallas Stars. All four goaltenders involved in the series have at least 12 wins this season.

Send Them Flying AwaySaturday night marks the sixth and final head-to-head meeting between the Nailers and Steelheads this season, as well as the third and final battle at WesBanco Arena. This will serve as the rubber match for the three contests played in West Virginia, as Wheeling won the opener 4-1 on Wednesday, before Idaho responded with a 3-2 win on Friday. The Nailers will need a victory on Saturday in order to split the first ever series played between the two cross-conference opponents. Wheeling will also look to secure a winning record against the Mountain Division. Anthony Luciani's winning goal on Friday was his fifth in five games against Wheeling this season, as he leads Idaho with six points. Tyler Currier and Garrett Meurs both have five points to lead the Nailers. Doug Carr and Sean Maguire have each defeated the Steelheads once, while Landon Bow is 3-0-0 when standing in the Idaho crease. Wheeling will have three opponents left on the schedule after Saturday, as it finishes its 13th season series out of 16.