February 4th, 2011 - Wheeling Nailers vs. Cincinnati Cyclones

CINCINNATI , OH -- Doug Rogers and Jason DeSantis each finished with three-point nights as the Wheeling Nailers defeated the Cincinnati Cyclones 6-3 at US Bank Arena Friday Night. The win extends the Nailers lead in the North Division to 12 points.

The Cyclones scored first on a quick developing rush into the zone as Mathieu Aubin lopped the puck in front to Darren Sproat who deked to the backhand and slipped the puck past Nailers goaltender Peter Delmas. Wheeling tied the game on the power play, taking advantage of a fortuitous bounce. Bedard led a 2-on-1 rush into the zone and attempted to slide the puck across the slot, but the pass was broken up, and the puck bounced back to Bedard who stuffed it in on the back post.

Sproat scored his second goal of the game at 19:23 of the period, flipping another backhand shot into the net. Wheeling responded just 18 seconds later, as Joey Haddad fed a pass across the crease to Casey-Pierro Zabotel, who buried the puck behind Cyclones goaltender Chet Pickard to tie the game at two with just five seconds remaining in the period.

Nailers came out flying in the second, scoring three goals in a 1:41 span. Kris Vernarsky stole the puck away on a shorthanded forecheck attempt, slipped and fell down, and from his knees fired a shot through the five-hole of Pickard to give Wheeling its first lead of the game 3-2. The Nailers made it 4-3 on a slapshot goal by Jason DeSantis from the point. Moments later DeSantis fed a cross ice feed to Doug Rogers at the circle who wristed the puck past Pickard to give the Nailers a 5-2 lead chasing Pickard from the game. Marc Chevrie entered the game in relief, and made a key save on Andrew Orpik's penalty shot to keep the game at 5-2. Late in the period, the Cyclones Mathieu Aubin was awarded a penalty shot of his own, and was able to convert on a deke move past Delmas to pull the Cyclones within two 5-3 at the end of two periods.

In the third, Wheeling's penalty kill continued to get the job done, setting the stage for the Nailers insurance goal at 7:48. Kelly Miller's scored his fifth goal of the season on a feed from Kris Vernarsky from behind the net, to extend the lead to 6-3. The goal marked the fifth time this season the Nailers have scored at least six goals in a game at US Bank Arena. Peter Delmas made 28 saves to help seal the win, and improve to 7-0 on the season.

The Nailers return home on Saturday to play host to Cincinnati for the Pink in the Rink Night. Game time is set for 8:05 p.m. Fans may purchase Pink Packs, which includes a game ticket, pink Nailers t-shirt and puck for $25. Portions of the Pink Pack proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. To purchase tickets, or Pink Packs call 304-234-GOAL, or 304-234-4625.

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Sports

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• 20110204