Nailmakers fight back for a point in Maine | Pro Hockey News

PORTLAND, ME – Wednesday night’s game between the Wheeling Nailers and Maine Mariners at Cross Insurance Arena was as exciting as it could be. Neither team scored during the first 31 minutes of action, but the second half of the game made up for that, including an equalizer from the Nailers in the final 30 seconds. Unfortunately, Wheeling fell short in the shootout, as Maine’s Sebastian Vidmar was the only player on either side to score on five attempts. The Mariners prevailed 3-2 on home ice as the Nailers began their four-game tour of New England.

It took more than half the match before a goal was scored as defense and goal work were key. Maine was responsible for that lone marker, which came at the 11:10 mark of the second period. Max Andreev came in on a breakaway but launched a shot wide to the left. The missed attempt caused a huge backlash from the end glass, which tumbled into the left circle. Antonio Venuto pounced on the loose puck and blasted a shot into the left side of the goal.

The Nailers fought back a few times in the third period to get a point out of the game. All three marks in the final stanza of regulation came from deflections. Wheeling’s first equalizer came 13 seconds into the game. David Breazeale’s shot from the right wall was tipped by both Logan Pietila and Connor Lockhart, with Lockhart’s deflection being the latter for the goal. The Mariners took back the lead on a power play with 7:19 remaining. Andrew Nielsen fired a shot from the middle of the blueline that was tipped out of the air by Robert Cronin. Time was ticking away for the Nailers, but with less than 30 seconds left, Logan Pietila knocked the rebound of Brent Johnson’s shot out of the air and over the goal line. The game was under review for a long time, but the on-ice ruling stood and the two sides moved to extra hockey.

Wheeling was awarded a penalty just 33 seconds into overtime but almost flipped the script as Pietila had a chance to end the match with a short-handed breakaway. Not a single whistle blew after penalty time expired, meaning the teams played 4-on-4 for the final 4:27, meaning a shootout would determine the winner. Taylor Gauthier and Luke Cavallin came within one in the first four rounds, but in the fifth round Maine skated away with the bonus point as Sebastian Vidmar slid a shot into the top left corner of the cage for the 3-2 final.

Luke Cavallin picked up the win for the Mariners as he made 30 saves on 32 shots during the match and then went five-on-five in the shootout. Taylor Gauthier stopped 31 of the 33 shots he faced in the game for the Nailers, going 4-for-5 in the shootout.

The Nailers will continue their New England road trip this weekend with three games against the Worcester Railers. Friday’s game starts at 7:05 a.m., Saturday has an opening faceoff at 6:05 a.m. and the teams wrap up Sunday at 3:05 a.m. Wheeling will then return home to WesBanco Arena, where it will play six home games over a two-week period. The highlight of the homestand is Pittsburgh Penguins Night on Saturday, February 7, starring Phil Bourque. Another popular game is Country Night on Saturday, February 14, with intermission performances by Loop Rawlins. 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.