Wheeling Nailers Survive Dayton Bombers 2-1 in ECHL Shootout

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - Dayton, OH - Looking for a win to help clinch a spot in the ECHL playoffs, the Dayton Bombers fell to division rival Wheeling Nailers 2-1 in a heartbreaking shootout Wednesday night in front of 2,074 at the Nutter Center.
In much the same way as Tuesday night, Dayton came out in the first with caution, sizing up a Wheeling team they had not seen since January. The Bombers found themselves being out shot in the opening minutes, with Wheeling testing goaltender Rejean Beauchemin
early, but were able to make a comeback in the second half of the period with several quality chances on Nailers netminder Curtis Darling. Despite the late chances, neither team would break the scoring seal in the first twenty minutes, with Dayton leading in shots on goal 13-10.
The Nailers started the second period with a bang, scoring the go-ahead goal just :33 in. The goal scored by Sean Berkstresser was his first as a Nailer, and put wheeling into the lead 1-0. Despite having two abbreviated power plays in the period, Dayton would be unable to match the Nailers scoring effort, skating off the ice after forty minutes trailing 1-0. Shots on goal in the second period again
ADVERTISEMENT favored the Bombers 15-11 for a two-period total of 28-21 Dayton.
Still trying to regain steam, Dayton pressured the Nailers on both ends of the ice in the third. The Bombers continued to trail Wheeling 1-0 throughout most of the period despite several loose puck opportunities in front of Darling's net until the Bomber's Corey LeClair, playing only his second game as a forward, led the charge by scoring his 5th goal of the season to tie the game at one. The goal, assisted by Ryan MacGregor and Mike Campaner, evened the contest at the 16:26 mark of the third. Neither team would be able to score in the final minutes of regulation, despite Dayton's amazing 20-5 shots on goal effort in the period. Final shots through sixty minutes favored the Bombers 51-33 (a season high for Dayton).
After a scoreless five-minute overtime, both teams entered into the shootout. Neither of the first shooters lit the lamp (Kelman and Miller) while Kevin Croxton, Aaron Clark and Sean Collins scored for Wheeling for the shootout win. Newcomer Petr Pohl scored Dayton's only goal in the shootout.
Dayton's record now stands at 28-28-5-6 for 67 and remains in fifth place in the North Division. Wheeling extends their season-high road win streak to 3-0, but remains out of the playoff picture in the North.
Looking ahead, the Bombers play host to rival Elmira Jackals in a weekend series on Saturday night at 7pm and Sunday at 5pm. Tickets are still available by calling the Bombers at 775-4747, and Saturday features Scout Night and the Dayton Hockey Hall of Fame night. Fans can tune into the game's broadcast online at echl.com and daytonbombers.com, and can watch the live telecast at b2livetv.com with Bombers broadcaster JT Szabo on the call.

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