Nailers Fight Back to Earn Point at Adirondack

GLENS FALLS, NY- The Wheeling Nailers earned a point for the second straight tilt on their six-game road trip, as they came from behind to force overtime against the Adirondack Thunder at Cool Insuring Arena. Freddie Tiffels was the key to the comeback, as he scored both Wheeling goals. Unfortunately, the second point went the other way, as Desmond Bergin scored on a breakaway, lifting Adirondack to a 3-2 win.

Adirondack opened the scoring with a pair of goals in the latter half of the first period. At the 12:37 mark, Pierre-Luc Mercier grinded his way through center ice, creating a 2-on-1 with Austin Orszulak. Mercier dished over to Orszulak, who returned the favor, allowing Mercier to tap the puck into the left side of the net. The second marker came on the power play with 3:51 left. Troy Bourke tossed a pass to the front of the net, where Terrence Wallin dragged the puck to his forehand, sliding a shot in on the right side.

The Nailers poured 24 shots on goal during the second period, while limiting the Thunder to two, as they started to turn the game around. The deficit got trimmed down to one with 22 seconds left on the clock. Ross McMullan reached out to keep the play alive at the blueline, before sending a pass to Freddie Tiffels in the right circle. Tiffels stickhandled with the puck on a string, before whipping in a shot from the dot.

Tiffels continued his strong afternoon in the third period, netting the equalizer at the 3:48 mark. Marcus Basara fed him the puck in front of the crease, where Tiffels dangled to the backhand, as he flicked in the goal. That tally earned Wheeling a point for the second straight game, as it ended up forcing overtime.

The Nailers killed off a penalty at the beginning of the extra session, and the score remained deadlocked into the final minute, before the Thunder collected the bonus point. Wallin sent Desmond Bergin on a breakaway. Bergin faked to his backhand, lifting a shot under the crossbar for the 3-2 final score.

Tomas Sholl earned the win for Adirondack, turning aside 39 of the 41 shots he faced. Colin Stevens earned a point for the sixth time in eight decisions, making 22 saves on 25 shots in the overtime defeat.

The next stop on the road trip for the Nailers is Manchester, where they will face the Monarchs on Wednesday at 7:00, before finishing in Worcester on Friday and Saturday. Wheeling's next home game is Education Day Game #2 against Worcester on March 7th at 10:45 a.m. That will be followed by Ladies Night and a Frosty Friday on March 9th at 7:05, and Pittsburgh Penguins Night on March 10th at 7:05. On Pittsburgh Penguins Night, fans can see the Stanley Cup, the first 2,500 fans will receive a Carter Rowney bobblehead, and the Nailers will wear special jerseys. To purchase tickets, or to get more information about season tickets, flex plans, group tickets, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.