WHEELING, WV- After a week of practices, the Wheeling Nailers got to experience game action against a league opponent on Friday night, as they hosted the Fort Wayne Komets to open the 2026 preseason. Wheeling's offense came to life with two goals in the third period, but unfortunately, a four-goal hole was too much to overcome, as the Komets prevailed, 4-2 at WesBanco Arena. Chris Dodero factored into both goals for the Nailers, as he notched one goal and one assist.

Fort Wayne potted both goals during the first period. The opening tally came at the 6:08 mark. Former Nailer Randy Hernández dropped a pass back to defenseman Jonny Tychonik, who stepped up into the high slot, and drilled a shot into the left side of the cage. The visitors added to their advantage with 4:01 remaining. Drake Rymsha gathered in a pass from Cody Morgan in the trapezoid, then quickly turned to his forehand and jammed a wraparound inside the left post.

The Komets added two more markers during the middle frame. At the 9:29 mark, Alex Aleardi delivered a slap shot on goal from the right circle, which was blocked by Wheeling goaltender Nolan Lalonde. Hunter Johannes batted the rebound out of the air and into the twine. Less than three minutes later, Nathan Dunkley made the score 4-0, when he received a pass from Morgan just outside of the crease, deked to his backhand, and shoveled a shot into the top shelf.

The third period was a different story for the Nailers, as they scored a pair of goals and outshot Fort Wayne, 12-7. Wheeling's first strike of the preseason came from Zach Krajnik, who finished off an exchange with Chris Dodero by banging in a shot from the left side of the slot. Dodero followed that up with a goal of his own, as he wired a shot into the top-right corner of the net. That made the regulation final score 4-2 in favor of the Komets.

As a way to fine tune some skills and entertain the fans, the two sides played an overtime period and a shootout. Neither squad turned on the red light in the extra session. Dante Sheriff scored the lone goal of the shootout for the Nailers, as he navigated his way around sprawled out goalie Eemil Vinni and slid in a backhander. Kasimir Kaskisuo denied all three attempts taken by Fort Wayne.

Both teams utilized both of their uniformed goaltenders. Nathaniel Day got the win for the Komets by stopping all 17 shots he faced in two periods. Eemil Vinni made 13 saves on 15 shots in the third. Nolan Lalonde made 21 saves on 24 shots in the first half of the game for Wheeling, before giving way to Kasimir Kaskisuo, who went 12-of-13 in the second half.

The Nailers and Komets will play the back half of their preseason home-and-home series at Fort Wayne's Allen County War Memorial Coliseum on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. Wheeling will open the 2026-27 regular season with a road contest against the Indy Fuel on Friday, October 16th at 7:15 p.m. The home opener for the Nailers will take place on Saturday, October 24th at 7:10 p.m. against the Toledo Walleye. There will be a magnetic schedule giveaway for all fans, plus Rachel Clement will perform an ice skating and fire act during intermissions. For information about season tickets, group tickets, ticket packages, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com. 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.