Beast Rally Back to Stun Nailers, 5-4

BRAMPTON, ON- On Sunday afternoon, the Wheeling Nailers were the victims of an opponent who was playing with loads of desperation. Wheeling had a 3-1 lead after two periods on two goals by Kenny Ryan and one by Reid Gardiner. However, the Brampton Beast roared back in the third period, scoring four of the five goals, including the game winner by Kevin Dufour with 3:18 remaining. The 5-4 setback was the first in regulation for the Nailers this season.

The two teams played to a scoreless draw in the first period, but that quickly got changed by the Nailers during the opening minute of the middle frame. Cody Wydo took a pass from Nick Sorkin, then slid a feed through the top of the crease to Kenny Ryan, who easily tapped in the goal from the left side. Ryan potted his second goal of the period and fourth of the weekend at the 8:43 mark, when he deposited the rebound of Danny Fick's initial shot from the right circle. Brampton briefly trimmed the margin to one, when Matt Petgrave scored from the left side of the slot off of a pass from Scott Jacklin. 2:11 after that, Wheeling went back ahead by a pair. Sorkin won a face-off to Wydo, who immediately set up Reid Gardiner at the edge of the right circle. Gardiner's wrist shot flew into the cage for his fourth straight game with a goal and sixth straight game with a point.

The third period took an unfortunate turn for the Nailers, as the desperate Beast came with a powerful attack. The comeback started with a power play goal at the 4:58 mark, when Kevin Dufour picked up a loose puck on the right side of the crease, scooping a shot up and under the crossbar. 1:53 later, Brampton tied the score on Cody Donaghey's rising slap shot from the left side of the slot. The home team took its first lead of the day 2:06 after that, as Reggie Traccitto blazed in a slap shot from the right point. Cody Wydo got the equalizer for Wheeling with 6:27 left, when he smacked in a loose puck from the slot. However, with 3:18 on the clock, the Beast took the final lead of the game. Dufour stepped up with a wrist shot in the slot, which rose up into the top-right corner of the net for a 5-4 score.

Andrew D'Agostini picked up the win in his season debut for Brampton, making 20 saves on 24 shots. Sean Maguire was saddled with the loss for Wheeling, coming up with 39 saves on 44 shots.

The Nailers will return home on Friday night to face the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7:05 on a Frosty Friday. The following Friday, November 10th, is Marvel Super Hero Night, when Wheeling wears Captain America jerseys against the Toledo Walleye at 7:05. Fans will be able to meet Captain America, Iron Man, and Black Widow, while the first 1,000 kids in attendance will receive a free cape. To purchase tickets, or to get more information about season tickets, flex plans, group tickets, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.