Neither team got on the scoreboard in the first period as Wheeling defeated Reading 12-10. The Royals finally broke the deadlock with a short strike at 2:58 of the middle frame. Nolan Burke freed the puck from the end boards for Jacob Frasca, who spun around the right post and slipped a backhander through the legs of Taylor Gauthier. The Nailers were able to rebound and score an equalizer on the power play during the final minute of the stanza. Ryan Mahshie directed a shot on target from the left circle, which was pushed away by Keith Petruzzelli. However, the rebound went to Connor Lockhart, who banked in a backhander from the right side of the crease.
The late tying goal gave Wheeling some momentum and the home team took the lead for the first time at 1:09 of the third. Lockhart played the puck in the left circle for Matty De St. Phalle, who wristed a shot into the top right corner of the cage. The Nailers got some great goaltending from Taylor Gauthier to secure the win as Reading had a 19-4 shots advantage in the third, and also had a two-man advantage for 43 seconds. Logan Pietila rewarded his netminder by putting the game away with an empty netter in the final minute for a 3-1 victory.
Taylor Gauthier added those 19 saves in the third period to his 12 from the first two frames, giving him 31 stops on 32 shots in the match. Gauthier is now three wins away from tying Andy Franck for the most career wins in team history. Keith Petruzzelli turned away 24 of the 26 shots he faced in the loss for the Royals.
The Nailers and Royals conclude their two-game series in Wheeling on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. Saturday’s competition is the ‘Nail Down Cancer’ evening. Fans can fill out “I Fight For…” signs to hold up during the game, there will be a ribbon-making station, cancer survivors will be celebrated throughout the night and fans can donate money to have their heads shaved in support of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. As a reminder, the game originally scheduled for Sunday at 4:10 PM against the Fort Wayne Komets has been postponed. The next Big-6 Promotional Game is Pittsburgh Penguins Night on Saturday, February 7, starring former player and current broadcast analyst Phil Bourque. Season memberships and other great ticket plans for the 2025-2026 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. Considered one of the best things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, the Wheeling Nailers provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley.
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