GLENS FALLS, NY- The Wheeling Nailers picked up one point in a game in which they really wanted two. On Saturday night at Glens Falls Civic Center, Wheeling carried a 3-0 lead into the third period, but watched the Adirondack Thunder rally back with four straight goals to take a lead. The Nailers got a late marker to force overtime, but with 15.4 seconds left in the bonus period, Alex Wall made the Thunder a winner, 5-4.
The Nailers had a tremendous start for the second night in a row, lighting the lamp twice in the opening stanza. The first marker came at the 9:13 mark. Kale Kerbashian teed up a one-timer for Tyler Currier, who powered in his shot from the right side of the slot. With less than 20 seconds remaining, Wheeling extended its advantage. Michael Webster worked the puck to the middle of the blueline, where Mike Krieg drove a slap shot into the left side of the cage for a power play goal.
One goal was scored in the second period, but the Nailers poured on one of their best offensive attacks of the season, firing 24 shots on goal. The tally came on the man advantage with 2:19 left in the frame. Kerbashian swept the puck out to the blueline for Kevin Schulze, who placed a slap shot into the top-left corner of the net. Kerbashian's assist was his third of the night, and fifth in three games since being acquired by Wheeling.
The third period took a wrong turn for the Nailers, as the Thunder stormed back with a remarkable rally. Peter MacArthur got the first goal of the evening for the home team, lifting in a shot from the right side of the crease at 1:20. A little more than six minutes later, Gunnar Hughes tipped in a point shot by Roman Dyukov to trim the deficit to one. After killing off a five-minute major, Adirondack pulled even, when Conor Riley potted the rebound of Dyukov's shot from long distance. The Thunder briefly went ahead with under a minute to go, when Cullen Bradshaw drove down the left side, and slipped in a shot along the ice. However, Wheeling responded, as Cody Wydo fed Christian Hilbrich, who buried a shot from the right circle, forcing overtime with 20 seconds left on the clock.
With 15.4 remaining in the extra session, the Thunder got the win. James Henry battled the puck off of the right wing boards to Ward, who set up Alex Wall for the winning goal on the left side.
JP Anderson got the win for Adirondack, stopping 44 of the 48 shots he faced. Sean Maguire suffered the overtime loss for Wheeling, making 38 saves on 43 shots.
The Nailers will conclude their four-game road trip on Sunday, when they visit the Elmira Jackals at 4:05. Wheeling will be home for three games next week on March 22nd, 24th, and 25th, all against the Idaho Steelheads. The 22nd is a WesBanco Winning Wednesday, the 24th is a Flat Screen Friday and Frosty Friday, and the 25th is Nailers Fight Cancer Night. Special jerseys will be worn, with proceeds going to the Team Ryan Charitable Foundation, there will be a team trading card set giveaway, and a post game autograph session with the entire squad, plus it will be Ladies Night. To purchase tickets, or to get more information about season tickets, group tickets, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.