Wheeling Nails Down Game 1 with 6-3 Victory Over 'Blades

Game Recap  By Bryce Wright

ESTERO, FL- Andrew Ammon and John McCarron both scored two goals to lead the Wheeling Nailers to a 6-3 victory over the Florida Everblades in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarter finals Friday night at Germain Arena.

The Nailers put on an offensive show in the opening period scoring four goals opening up the game to an early 4-0 lead.

Cody Wydo attempted a wrap around, but the puck slid across the crease and John McCarron shuffled the puck across the goal line for the game’s opening goal.

Two minutes later, Andrew Ammon received a pass from Dan O’Donoghue in the high slot where he blasted the puck over the shoulder of Peters giving the Nailers the 2-0 lead.

With three minutes left in the opening period, Cody Wydo picked up the puck after a blocked shot, charged deep into the Everblades’ offensive zone on a 3-on-1 rush and riffled a shot past Peters from the right wing circle to give the Nailers the early 3-0 lead.

Then with 40 seconds left in the first, the Nailers jumped on the board again when Matthew Maione blasted a shot from the blue l6ine extending the Nailers lead to 4-0 heading into the second period.

Goaltender Rasmus Tirronen entered the game in at the start of the second period to replace Anthony Peters.

The Everblades were able to get on the board at. 4:44 into the second period.  Matt Marquardt cocked back and slapped a shot past Franky Palazzese from the left wing circle, cutting the Nailers’ lead to 4-1.

With seven minutes to play in the second frame Ryan Martindale scored on a give-and-go with Matt Willows in front of Palazzese cutting the Nailers’ lead to 4-2.

The Nailers reclaimed the momentum when Andrew Ammon scored his second goal of the night after tipping the puck in the net past Tirronen on a Maione shot from the blue line, to give the Nailers the three goal lead again, 5-2 heading into the third period.

Wheeling continued its assault in the third, when McCarron scored his second goal of the game at 5:26 into the period.

Florida grabbed a another goal from Gabriel Desjardins with seven minutes remaining, but it would not be enough as the Nailers closed out the 6-3 victory.

Frankie Palazzese earned the win stopping 25 of 28 shots, while Peters takes the loss allowing four goals on ten shots. Rasmus Tirronen turned aside 21 of 23 shots in a relief effort.Wheeling’s Cody Wydo recorded four points on the night (1g, 3a).

Game 2 is Saturday at Germain Arena!

Saturday, April 16:  Game 2 vs, Wheeling Nailers, 7:00 p.m.Game 2 is presented byUnivision!  Univision will be on hand interacting with fans in the concourse, giving away t-shirts, and great prizes to fans during the intermission!   

The following is a complete schedule the of the best-of-seven series:(Wheeling leads 1-0)Game 1:  Friday, April 15, Wheeling - 6  at Florida - 3Game 2: Saturday, April 16, Wheeling at Florida, Germain Arena, 7:00 p.m. Game 3:  Wednesday, April 20, Florida at Wheeling, WesBanco Arena, 7:05 p.m.Game 4:  Friday, April 22, Florida at Wheeling, WesBanco Arena, 7:35 p.m.Game 5:  Saturday, April 23, Florida at Wheeling, WesBanco Arena, 7:35 p.m.**Game 6:  Monday, April 25, Wheeling at Florida, Germain Arena, 7:30 p.m.**Game 7:  Wednesday, April 27, Wheeling at Florida, Germain Arena, 7:30 p.m.**** If Necessary

Ticket Information

Game Tickets: Everblades tickets may be purchased at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena, or at any Ticketmaster outlet, or online atwww.ticketmaster.com

Discounted Group Tickets: Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price, and also receive an Everblades souvenir! Group tickets are available for all home games. For more information on group tickets, call 239-948-7825.

2016-17 Season Ticket Plans Now Available:  Full  and flexible partial season ticket plans are  currently available for the 2016-17 season. We offer several tickets packages designed to help fit your budget and schedule. For more information, call 239-948-7825, or stop by the team’s main office located at Germain Arena from Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Fans may also stop by our sales tables located in the concourse at Everblades games. .

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliateof the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes###