January 22nd, 2011 - Wheeling Nailers vs. Trenton Devils

TRENTON, NJ—The Wheeling Nailers scored four goals in a 1:48 span late in the third, to defeat the Trenton Devils 6-4 at Sun National Bank Center Sauturday night.

For the second straight game, the Devils would score the game's opening goal. The Devils converted on their first power play opportunity, as they worked the puck around the perimeter to Tony Zancanaro at the circle and he fired it past Nailers goaltender Peter Delmas. Trenton extended the lead to 2-0 on a wild shot from point from Andy Thomas, which floated off a deflection into the Nailers net. Just like Trenton, the Nailers took advantage of ther first power play chance. Mike Gershon took the faceoff win in the offensive zone and fired the puck toward the net, which was re-directed by Joey Haddad past Devils goaltender Jeff Lerg, which pulled Wheeling within one at the end of the first period.

In the second, Devils captain Trevor Kell added to his team's lead, backhanding a rebound shot past Delmas making the score 3-1. The Nailers continued to fight, converting on the power play for the second time, when Kyle Bushee fielded the puck at the blue line and fired a shot at the net which was tipped through the five-hole of Lerg by Nick Petersen. The goal was Petersen's 20th tally of the season, and it made the score 3-2 after two periods.

The Devils took their third two-goal lead of the game on Zancanaro's second power play goal, lifting Trenton to a 4-2 lead. Trailing by two, the Nailers went on an important power play with 4:31 remaining in regulation. Nick Petersen deflected a Kyle Bushee shot which slipped by Lerg to pull Wheeling with in one 4-3. Nearly thirty seconds later, Petersen broke into the zone working one-on-one and sniped a shot past Lerg on the glove side, to net the hat trick and tie the game at four. Over a minute later, Andrew Orpik fed the puck in the slot to to Kelly Miller who batted the puck into the net to give the Nailers their first lead of the game. Wheeling added an insurance goal just 17 seconds later as Petersen centered a feed at the top of the crease to Casey Pierro-Zabotel who belted the puck into the back of the net for the goal, to seal the 6-4 victory.

The game marked the second five-point game for Petersen, who posted five points at Cincinnati on December 18. Goaltender Peter Delmas improved to 3-0 on the season with the win. Prior to Saturday's game, defenseman Jason DeSantis was returned to the Nailers from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow for the third time in as many days in Atlantic City. Game time is set for 4:00 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.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Pittsburgh Penguins
• Wheeling Nailers
• Montreal Canadiens
• ECHL