Nailers Leave Fuel in the Doghouse, 5-1

INDIANAPOLIS, IN- The Wheeling Nailers had control of Saturday night's game from start to finish, as they drove past the Indy Fuel, 5-1 at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Reid Gardiner led the way in the offensive outburst, collecting two goals and an assist, while Nick Sorkin, Cody Wydo, and Kevin Schulze all chipped in with two-point nights. Sean Maguire turned in a 41-save performance for his third victory of the campaign.

The Nailers had a terrific first period, as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead, while outshooting Indy, 16-10. The first goal came on the man advantage at the 2:25 mark, as Wheeling scored a power play goal for the eighth straight game. Reid Gardiner began the quick passing play with a feed to Cody Wydo, who immediately connected with Kevin Schulze driving into the slot. Schulze gathered in the feed, and flung a wrist shot into the right side of the net. With 6:22 to go in the stanza, the lead was extended. Garrett Meurs shot from the corner was thwarted away, but Gardiner pounced on the rebound, sifting it under goaltender Collin Delia. Gardiner extended his goal streak to six games and his point streak to eight consecutive contests.

The start of the second period was all Nailers, who chased Collin Delia out of the crease with three goals in the first 2:55. The barrage of scoring started with a shorthanded strike at the 33-second mark. Wydo broke up a pass, and led a 2-on-1 break. Wydo drew the defense down, the set up Nick Sorkin, who punched the puck into the wide open right side of the cage. Quick passing allowed Wheeling's fourth goal to take place at the 2:08 mark, as Schulze and Sorkin whipped the puck around to Kenny Ryan, who tapped in a shot from the bottom of the left circle. 47 seconds after that, Gardiner stole the puck at the defensive blueline, and was gone, breaking away for his second goal of the night. Indy got on the board with 16:36 left, when Tommy Olczyk cashed in on a turnover.

Neither team scored in the third period, as the Nailers closed out their 5-1 win.

Sean Maguire turned in a magnificent performance in goal for the Nailers, earning the victory with 41 saves on 42 shots. Collin Delia gave up five goals on 20 shots in the loss for the Fuel, before giving way to Etienne Marcoux, who stopped all 16 shots he faced in relief.

The Nailers will return home on Friday for Marvel Super Hero Night against the Toledo Walleye at 7:05. Fans will have the chance to meet Captain America, Iron Man, and Black Widow, the Nailers will wear Captain America jerseys, and 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.