Nailers Get Final Say in 7-6 Overtime Victory

GREENVILLE, SC- The Wheeling Nailers and Greenville Swamp Rabbits played a game for the ages on Saturday night. It was a game in which fans started to believe that the last goal would win the game. That last goal came from the Nailers, as Garrett Meurs fired home a shot at the 2:31 mark of overtime, lifting Wheeling to a 7-6 overtime decision and a two-game weekend sweep at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Hunter Fejes also had a phenomenal performance, scoring four goals for the Nailers.

The two teams came out flying in the first period, combining for five goals. Greenville got on the scoreboard first at the 1:27 mark. Adam Chapie slipped a pass through the slot to Allan McPherson, who settled the puck down, before depositing a shot from the bottom of the right circle. 1:02 later, the Swamp Rabbits added to their lead, as Malte Stromwall converted on a breakaway, roofing a backhander after a forehand fake. The power play was Wheeling's best friend in the opening stanza, as the Nailers stormed back. Hunter Fejes put the visitors on the board, taking a Derek Army pass off of the back wall, then dragging the puck to the right side, where he buried his wrist shot. 3:41 later, Wheeling drew even with a marker on a two-man advantage. Kevin Schulze teed up a one-timer for Garrett Meurs, who clobbered his shot from the top of the left circle and through Ty Rimmer. Rimmer's night came to an end 40 seconds after that, when Fejes whipped in his second of the period with a right circle wrister. That was also a power play strike, and all three goals featured assists from Cam Brown.

The seesaw contest continued in the middle frame. Greenville tied the score at the 3:41 mark, when Adam Chapie won a battle for the puck along the wall, before setting up Brenden Kotyk, who slammed in a shot as he cruised down the slot. The Nailers went back in the lead with their fourth power play goal in four chances. Kenny Ryan fed Nick Sorkin, whose wrist shot flew into the top-left corner of the cage. The Swamp Rabbits responded with a power play marker of their own, as Sergey Zborovskiy's slap shot rang in under the crossbar.

Scoring was far from over in the third period, as each team lit the lamp twice more. Both Wheeling tallies came from Fejes, who had a night to remember. Fejes completed his hat trick with a backhander to put the Nailers ahead 5-4, then blazed in a wrist shot from the left circle for his fourth of the night to tie the score, 6-6. In the middle, Greenville got goals from Branden Troock on the right side of the slot and Evan Jasper, who drove down the left side of the ice, before slipping in a backhander from in tight.

12 goals and 93 shots weren't enough to decide a winner, so the teams progressed to overtime. Meurs stepped up as the hero for the Nailers, roofing a wrist shot from the right circle for his second of the game and a 7-6 Wheeling win. Reid Gardiner and Kevin Schulze assisted on the deciding strike.

Colin Stevens got the win in goal for the Nailers, making 39 saves on 45 shots. Ty Rimmer got a no-decision for Greenville, giving up three goals on ten shots, before Brandon Halverson took over in relief. Halverson took the overtime loss, allowing four goals on 43 shots.

The Nailers will open their home season on Saturday, when they take on the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7:05. The party starts with a pregame fan fest at 4:00, featuring music from the band "Hit Play," as well as team introductions, refreshments, and activities for all. To purchase tickets, or to get more information about season tickets, flex plans, group tickets, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.