KALAMAZOO, MI- Every once in a while, a hot goaltender can steal a game, and that's what the Wheeling Nailers ran into on Sunday afternoon at Wings Event Center. Ty Young made 36 saves to lead the Kalamazoo Wings to a 2-1 win, as Peter Laviolette was the lone Wheeling player to solve him.
Neither team was able to light the lamp in the first period, which saw Kalamazoo hold a 14-11 advantage in shots on goal. The Wings ultimately broke through with a pair of tallies in the middle frame. The opening marker came with loads of congestion around the crease at the 9:06 mark. Davis Codd crashed in, and was able to push the puck in over the line. The play was originally ruled no goal, but was reversed following video review. With 2:15 to go, Kalamazoo struck again with heavy traffic. Luc Salem's left point wrist shot was denied, but the rebound booted out to Ted Nichol, who lifted the puck up and over a sprawled out Taylor Gauthier.
Wheeling pulled to within one at the 10:57 mark of the third period. Gabe Klassen fired a shot on goal from the right circle, which was stopped. However, Peter Laviolette drove in to the right side of the crease, where he scooped the rebound up and into the top-left corner of the cage. The Nailers put 16 shots on goal in the final frame, but a tying goal wasn't in the cards, and the Wings prevailed, 2-1.
Both goaltenders turned in terrific performances. Ty Young backstopped the win for Kalamazoo, as he thwarted 36 of the 37 shots he faced. Taylor Gauthier made 28 saves on 30 shots for the Nailers.
The Nailers would like to wish all of their fans a very Happy Holiday Season! The team's next game will be on Friday night at 7:00 on the road against Cincinnati. Wheeling's next home game will be Saturday at 7:10 against Iowa, which will feature a re-gifting exchange. Another exciting upcoming promotion is Kids' Neon New Year's Eve on December 31st, which will have a postgame light show, glow sticks, sparkling grape juice, and glow cups. Star Wars Night is the next Big-6 Promotional Game, and that is also right around the corner on Saturday, January 11th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2024-25 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
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