(via Sarah Hobday)
The Wheeling Nailers scored three goals in the final 5:56 of regulation and the game-winner in double overtime to take Game 2 against the South Carolina Stingrays. Jarrett Burton danced around the defense and deked out Vitek Vanecek before tucking the puck underneath his outstretched glove hand to end the game.
Mark Dekanich and Vanecek combined for 170:24 of shutout time spanning back to Game 7 against Adirondack before Clark Seymour sent a snap shot over Vanecek’s glove hand at 14:04 of the third. Paul Cianfrini beat him to the same side 3:10 later.
The next three games will be at WesBanco arena in Wheeling, West Virginia. Should the teams split the three games in any way, a Game 6 at North Charleston Coliseum will occur.
With the Nailers switch from Brian Foster to Franky Palazzese in net, the Rays jumped out to a lead late in the first period after getting used to the new goalie. Colton Saucerman sent a pass to Austin Fyten behind the whole of the defense with 51 seconds to play in the period. Three seconds later and after a move to the backhand, Fyten put the puck past Palazzese’s five hole.
Late in the middle frame, Brett Cameron followed his shot to the net and brought the rebound off Palazzese behind the net. With the sure-shot of Joe Devin at the faceoff circle, Cameron sent the puck his way. Devin blew the shot by the Nailers’ goalie, who was turned around looking for Cameron to reappear.
61 seconds later, Caleb Herbert tripled the advantage. He tipped home a Joey Leach point shot for yet another three-goal lead for the Stingrays.
The Nailers had just 13 shots through two periods before getting 13 in the third, scoring three times.
Including a carry-over penalty from the final five seconds of the third, the Stingrays failed to capitalize on four power plays in the two extra frames. The Nailers converted on their one chance, ending the game and tying the series.
The first of the three games in Wheeling will take place on Wednesday evening.
