Beast Outslug Nailers, 6-5

WHEELING, WV- Goal scoring was the story of Friday's game between the Wheeling Nailers and Brampton Beast, as Wheeling started its six-game homestand at WesBanco Arena. Alec Butcher and Troy Josephs both posted three-point nights for the Nailers, but Anthony Beauregard's tally with 2:43 remaining ended up being the difference in a 6-5 triumph for Brampton.

Brampton got the game started in its favor with a pair of goals in the opening stanza. The first tally came with lots of traffic around the net. Artur Tianulin had his second chance stopped, but the final attempt went in, courtesy of Erik Bradford from the left side. Bradford was also responsible for the second goal, which was significantly cleaner. The forward blocked a shot, leading to a 2-on-1 break. Bradford dished over to Tianulin, who returned the feed, and Bradford promptly found the back of the net.

The Nailers battled back to tie the game in the beginning stages of the middle frame. Alec Butcher put the home side on the scoreboard with a strong effort, battling through a check on the left side, before shelving a shot from in tight. Troy Josephs didn't get a point on the second marker, but set up a magnificent screen in front of the netminder, allowing Yushiroh Hirano to pick the top-right corner of the cage. Unfortunately, the tied score lasted for less than a minute, as David Vallorani put the Beast back on top, roofing a shot under the crossbar from the bottom of the right circle. Nathan Todd followed that up by squeezing a shot through from the middle of the ice.

The offensive slugfest ramped up even more in the third period, starting with two goals in 30 seconds by Brampton's Daniel Ciampini and Wheeling's Zac Lynch. Troy Josephs brough the Nailers within a goal with 4:17 left, when he slipped in a backhander from the right side, but Anthony Beauregard scored the biggest goal of the night, snapping in a wrister from the left circle with 2:43 on the clock. Butcher's second of the contest made the score 6-5, but that was as close as Wheeling could get.

Etienne Marcoux got the win in goal for the Beast, making 27 saves on 32 shots. John Muse took the loss for the Nailers, allowing six goals on 24 shots.

The Nailers will continue their homestand on Saturday night, when they face the Reading Royals at 7:05 for National Spouses Day. Wheeling will also play on Sunday at 3:05 as the Fort Wayne Komets come to town for a Family Funday, featuring a Post Game Skate with the Team (even-numbered players). The next big promotional night is Country Roads, featuring a Mason Jar Giveaway to the first 2,000 fans on February 16th. 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.