January 23rd, 2011 Wheeling Nailers vs. Trenton Devils

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ—Joey Haddad and David Marshall each finished with a goal and an assist, to lead the Wheeling Nailers to a 4-3 victory over the Trenton Devils at Boardwalk Hall Sunday evening. The win, coupled with a Cincinnati loss on Sunday, extends the Nailers lead in the North Division to nine points.

Nailers scored first on their first shot on goal, from newcomer John May at 2:01 into the game. May found himself with the puck at the top of the crease, deked to the backhand and slipped a shot past Devils goaltender Shane Connelly. Wheeling took advantage of the first of five power plays in the first period. Joey Haddad 's backhand shot was blocked in front, but deflected right to David Marshall who fired the puck on the backside of Connelly to give the Nailers a 2-0 lead. Trenton's penalty kill stepped up to kill off the remaining four penalties in the period to keep the score 2-0 at the end of the first.

Things tightened up in the second, but the Nailers were able to add to their lead. Nick Petersen worked the puck to the slot firing a shot off the pads of Connelly, and Mikael Bedard put home the rebound at 8:40 of the period to give Wheeling a 3-0 lead at the end of two periods played.

The Devils stormed out of the gates in period three, scoring their first goal by Taylor Vichorek, who squeezed the puck between the post and Nailers goaltender Peter Delmas. A little more than a minute later, Tony Zancanaro's backhand shot slipped by Delmas to pull the Devils within one 3-2. The Nailers were able to separate on their first shot on goal of the period at the 6:56 mark. Joey Haddad chipped a shot at the top of the crease by Connelly, to give Wheeling a 4-2 lead. However, the see-saw battle continued in the third, as the Devils refused to go away converting on the power play. Darcy Zajac scored the goal in a wild scramble in front, to pull his team with in one once again. Wheeling buckled down defensively in the game's final five minutes, and was able to secure the 4-3 victory.

Wheeling went a 4-0 this past week. Forward Nick Petersen finished the week with 10 points (5g, 5a) in four games played. Peter Delmas made 29 saves, to improve to 4-0 on the season. Goaltender Patrick Killeen was recalled to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins following Saturday night's 6-4 win in Trenton.

The Nailers will have a few days off before traveling to Elmira to take on the Jackals on Friday night. Game time is tabbed for 7:30 p.m. Tune into The Mix 97.3, or watch the game on RTV9 courtesy of America One. The next Nailers contest at WesBanco Arena is Saturday, January 29, against the Trenton Devils, game time is set for 7:35 p.m. The first 2,000 fans will receive a free Nailers T-shirt. To purchase tickets call (304) 234-GOAL

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Sports

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• 20110123