Nailers Unable to Activate Super Powers Against Reading

WHEELING, WV- Two streaks came to an end on Wednesday night, as the Wheeling Nailers and Reading Royals met at WesBanco Arena. Reading snapped a six-game skid, while Wheeling saw its three-game winning streak get stopped, as the Royals used three deflection goals to defeat the Nailers, 5-1. Kevin Spinozzi notched the lone goal for Wheeling.

The first period was a difficult one for the Nailers, who fell behind by two. Reading got on the board quickly at the 1:29 mark of the first period. Frank DiChiara fed Steve Johnson on the rush, and Johnson immediately fired in a shot from the left circle. The second tally for the visitors came via a deflection less than three minutes later. Dan Milan let a wrist shot fly from the left point, and DiChiara got a piece of it, knocking it into the cage. Wheeling potted its first goal of the evening with 9:09 remaining in the stanza. Troy Josephs gobbled up a loose puck, then proceeded to dish a pass over to Kevin Spinozzi, who stepped in and drove a slap shot into the top-left corner. However, the Royals got that marker back on a power play tip-in by Steven Swavely off of Michael Huntebrinker's initial attempt.

Reading added to its advantage in the middle frame with two more goals. At the 1:22 mark, the Royals got their third deflection goal of the night, and it came on the power play, when Huntebrinker got a piece of Scott Dornbrock's wrister from high in the zone. With 7:44 on the clock, Josh MacDonald turned on the red light from the low slot, squeezing a shot through John Muse and into the twine.

Neither team scored in the third period - a stanza that saw the Nailers hold Reading to three shots on goal.

Angus Redmond collected his first win of the season for the Royals, denying 36 of the 37 shots he faced. John Muse took the loss for Wheeling, making 22 saves on 27 shots.

The Nailers have two more home games coming up this weekend, as they host the Toledo Walleye at 7:05 on Saturday, then the Cincinnati Cyclones come to town on Sunday at 3:05. Sunday's game is the return of the popular Post Game Skate with the Team, and to start off the year, all players will be participating. The next big promotional game is NailerMania on December 15th, starring WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley. Teddy Bear Toss and Ugly Sweater Night will also be part of that fun-filled night. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley. For information on season tickets, group tickets, flex plans, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.