Nailers halt Everblades’ win streak
WHEELING, W.Va. Eric Hartzell made 40 saves to help lead the Wheeling Nailers to 3-2 win over the Florida Everblades Saturday night, ending the Blades’ six-game winning streak.
After a scoreless and fast paced first period, it took the Nailers just 30 seconds in the second period to get on the board. While on the power play, Riley Brace received a cross-ice feed and blasted a shot down low behind Blades goaltender Allen York for the game’s first goal.
Nearly two minutes later, Brace scored again on the power play, in a near identical fashion to extend Wheeling’s lead to 2-0.
Later in the period Sahir Gill slipped by the defense and wristed a shot past York on the blocker side, to give the Nailers a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes of play.
Eric Hartzell was nearly perfect in goal in the game stopping everything the Everblades threw at him. That all changed at 14:52 of the third period when Florida got a power play opportunity. Matt Mangene hurled a shot from the blue line which was tipped and redirected by Adam Brace into the net for the ‘Blades first goal.
Less than two minutes later the Everblades struck again, as Brant Harris picked up the puck spun around and delivered to the net. The puck slid low on the ice and found its way into the net just past the skate of Hartzell for the tally to pull the Blades within one 3-2.
Florida pulled York to allow for the extra attacker and unleashed a fury of offensive chances, but Hartzell and the Nailers held off the Blades for the 3-2 win.
York takes the loss allowing three goals on 25 shots while Hartzell earns the win stopping 40 of 42 shots.
The Everblades continue the road trip Wednesday when they battle Kalamazoo.