WHEELING — The Wheeling Nailers moved inside one win of the franchise file for hitting streak Friday night time with a 2-1 additional time overcome Studying at house.
Group captain Justin Addamo scored Three minutes, 21 seconds into additional time because the Nailers (27-16-1-1 56 factors) received their 11th straight sport and continued their torrid 2024 of the common season. The 11-game successful streak tied the 1994 workforce that was coached by Peter Laviolette.
“I noticed the ice open and tried to make use of my physique to go outdoors. Actually, I put the puck within the web and didn't even realize it went in till I heard the group. Addamo mentioned of his winner. “It wasn't the prettiest sport on the market, however a win is a win is a win.”
Addamo pressured his solution to the appropriate facet of the slot and lofted a backhander into the highest proper nook of the web and beneath the crossbar to ship the win.
“That was an incredible play by Justin,” Wheeling head coach Derek Military mentioned. “That's why he's the captain.”
The win was additionally their third in additional time of their final 4 outings.
“Like I mentioned, a win is a win and we'll take two factors every time we are able to get them.” Addamo added.
Wheeling hasn't misplaced since a 2-1 upset at Kalamazoo on Jan. 14. The Nailers and Royals meet once more tonight at 7:10 on Pittsburgh Penguins Night time. The 12-game successful streak got here within the 2004 season.
“I believed it was as near a playoff sport as you're going to get, feel-wise.” mentioned the military. “It was such an in depth sport. They (Studying) did a very good job of pushing us.
“We like additional time” the military burdened. “While you go into additional time, you are taking an opportunity and see what occurs.”
Neither workforce touched the scoreboard within the first interval as they mixed for simply 12 photographs with Wheeling holding a 7-5 lead.
The second interval, nonetheless, noticed some life from each side. The Nailers had a game-high 19 photographs within the center interval, however nonetheless discovered themselves deadlocked at 1 within the 20-minute third interval.
As time expired in regulation, Wheeling's Matt Koopman was whistled for a holding penalty with 39 seconds remaining. The Nailers killed off the remaining time, however had been left short-handed within the first 82 seconds of the 7-minute additional time session.
“Killing that penalty to begin additional time was large,” Military mentioned of the Four-on-Three lead the Royals had for 29 seconds. “The penalty kill is up.”
Goaltender Taylor Gauthier, who earned his eighth straight victory by stopping 23 of 24 photographs, together with all 13 within the third interval and additional time, agreed.
“I believed the fellows did a very good job of limiting them to what we gave them.” Gauthier mentioned of his workforce's defensive play in entrance of him. “The blokes have picked me up each time this season and that's the signal of a very good workforce.”
His 17th win this season places him on the high of all goaltenders within the league.
“I see the puck very well and the fellows play very well in entrance of me” he added.
Wheeling bought on the board first at 7:32 of the second interval. David Jankowski despatched the puck towards the aim and ended up making a rebound that was put in by Peter Laviolette from the appropriate facet of the crease for his first aim of the season. Laviolette had a busy time as he threw down the gloves with Steven Leonard after Laviolette put Nick Fea in with an enormous hit.
The Royals pulled even with 2:44 left when Tyson Fawcett was penalized for being pulled on a scoring likelihood. Fawcett transformed on the penalty kick as he curved left to proper and lifted a forehand shot into the highest of the cage.
“I believed I performed fairly nicely” Gauthier mentioned of the penalty kick. “It was simply unlucky that it went in.”
As for the additional time win, Gauthier mentioned it doesn't matter how the workforce wins, so long as they win.
“I feel as we go down the video games are going to get tighter and tighter,” Gaughtier added. “On the finish of the day, two factors is 2 factors.”
Following tonight's matchup, the Nailers hit the highway for 3 straight video games in Utah in opposition to the Grizzlies.