Nailers draw even with comeback win
WHEELING, W.Va. Three third period goals lead the Wheeling Nailers to a 5-4 comeback victory over the Florida Everblades Friday night to tie the best-of-five series at 2-2.
With the win, the Nailers force a Game 6 to be played at Germain Arena on Monday.
The Blades opened the scoring 7:45 into the first period. Defenseman Mike Cornell tripped and fell to the ice. Noticing Brendan O’Donnell breaking into the zone as well, Cornell shuffled the puck over to O’Donnell, who snapped his shot past the glove of Wheeling goaltender Brian Foster.
After the opening goal, both teams exchanged chances for the remainder of the first period. Taking advantage of a Wheeling turnover, the Blades doubled their lead off a rocket shot by Ryan Martindale. Picking off an errant pass, who got to the top of the left wing circle before firing a slap shot that screamed past Foster.
The Blades wasted no time adding to their lead. Just 13 seconds after the second goal, Matt Willows took a feed from Martindale at the top of the slot. Willows wristed a quick shot through traffic and past a completely screened Foster.
On the power play, Wheeling took advantage of an Everblades turnover in their own zone to finally get on the board midway through the second period. Mathew Maione sent an angled pass across the front of goal to the stick of John McCarron, who slipped his shot past Everblades goaltender Anthony Peters.
Wheeling cut the lead in half at the 14:02 mark of the middle frame. Connor Leen sent a centering feed toward the net. Pin balling around the front of goal, Ty Loney stuffed the puck high into the net.
Just over a minute later, the Blades got a goal back thanks to an odd man rush late in the second period. Breaking on a 2-on-1 rush, Willows patiently brought the puck all the way to the low circle. Centering it to the front of the net, Danny New blasted a shot off of the crossbar and into the goal.
Wheeling again cut the lead in half less than a minute into the third period. Shorthanded, McCarron picked up the puck in the neutral zone, cut right around the defense and moved in alone on the goal, burying the puck past Peters.
Just over a minute later the Nailers tied the game up. Getting the puck into the attacking zone, McCarron found Cody Wydo who slid it past Peters.
Wheeling took its first lead of the game midway through the third period. Riley Brace fired a wicked slap shot past Peters.
Though the Blades had some opportunities late in the game, they did not take advantage. On a power play late, the Everblades could not find a way to put the puck in, giving Wheeling the come-from-behind victory.
Peters suffers the loss for the Blades, allowing five goals on 31-shots.
The series continues Saturday at the WesBanco Arena.