PORTLAND, ME- The Wheeling Nailers are making the long trip home from Portland, Maine to Wheeling, West Virginia with a four-game road split in their possession. Unfortunately, the journey ended on a sour note, as the Maine Mariners scored four consecutive goals in a 5-2 win at Cross Insurance Arena. Matt Crasa and Tanner Hartman were the goal scorers for Wheeling.

Both teams converted on the power play during the first period, which resulted in a 1-1 deadlock. The first goal went to Wheeling at the 7:15 mark. Dante Sheriff drove a one-timer on goal from the top of the right circle, which got blocked by Mariners goaltender Luke Cavallin. However, the rebound hopped out to Matt Crasa, who smacked in his third rebound goal in the last two games. Maine got its man advantage marker with 3:24 remaining. Josh Bloom feathered a pass into the right side of the crease, giving Robert Cronin a tap-in.

The Mariners carried the momentum into the middle frame, and put in back-to-back goals to go ahead, 3-1. Maine took its first lead at the 9:40 mark with a 2-on-1 shorthanded break. Josh Bloom sifted the puck into the left side of the crease, where it got touched in by Max Andreev. The shorthanded strike was Andreev's fourth of the season. Mason Primeau boosted the lead to two for the Mariners with 5:39 to go, when he pounced on a loose puck in the slot and shoveled a shot up and into the top-left corner of the cage.

Owen Gallatin extended Maine's lead at the 3:47 mark of the third period with a wrist shot from the top of the right circle. 28 seconds later, Tanner Hartman collected his first professional goal, as he turned a backhander up and under the crossbar. Andreev's second of the night went into an empty net and put the finishing touches on a 5-2 final score in favor of the Mariners.

The Nailers will make the long journey back home, then get ready to play host to the Toledo Walleye on Friday at 7:10 p.m. The main promotion for that game will be Military & First Responder Appreciation Night. It will also be the first Frosty Friday of the season with select $2 beers. Other exciting promotions in the month of November include Festival of Lights Night on Saturday, November 21st and Thanksgiving Eve with live IWC Wrestling on Wednesday, November 25th. All three of those matches will begin at 7:10 p.m. 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.