Nailers Demolish Monarchs
Bourbonnais nets hat trick in victory
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WHEELING -- Friday was the first of six meetings between Wheeling and Manchester this season and the Nailers introduced themselves to the North Division leaders in dominant fashion.
Riley Bourbonnais recorded a hat trick, Chris Francis netted two goals in his first home game with the team and Wheeling kicked off the weekend with a 7-4 win over the Monarchs on Friday night at WesBanco Arena.
"I think it was just good to get back in the win column," Nailers coach Jeff Christian said. "They have a heckuva team over there but Bourbonnais had a heckuva night for us. Our power play got clicking and that's the way we like to play.
"We like to play fast and we capitalized on our chances."
The Nailers were averaging 36.6 shots a game coming into the contest but the goals have not been adding up. Bourbonnais, along with three others, made sure that changed in this divisional matchup.
"Our coaches just had confidence in us," Bourbonnais said. "We just kept it simple. You have those games where the puck just finds you and that was happening (Friday) and I just buried my chances.
"That's what we got to start doing as a team. We get 40-50 shots a game but we're not scoring, so it's nice to see everyone score.
"Every guy has to step up. It's your opportunity now. We began the season and guys weren't playing much and now we have an opportunity. I think guys are playing really well."
Christian and his team came into the game well-prepared and it showed in the second period as the Nailers netted a season-high four goals to secure the momentum.
"We had a pretty good pre-scout on them and the way they like to play," Christian said. "They are very similar to us. They are built, they've got a heavy team, they play physical and they can grind.
"Some of our goals just squeaked through early and it gave us the confidence we needed."
Special teams were an area that favored the Nailers, as well. The hosts tallied a pair of power-play goals, along with going a perfect 5-for-5 on penalty kills.
"Special teams are always important," Christian said. "Our penalty kills didn't climb and it's been doing well.
"Our power plays have been near the top all year. Every game we talk about the importance of special teams and (Friday) was no different."
After Manchester climbed on the board first, Bourbonnais answered with two first-period goals. The first came on a breakaway where he separated himself from the defense and beat the Monarchs goalie Charles Williams to deliver the equalizer.
Less than three minutes later, he struck again. This time, Bourbonnais blistered a power-play shot from the left circle to give his squad the edge. Garrett Meurs and Jaynen Rissling collected the assists on the play.
After coming to Wheeling on Jan. 2 in a trade that sent Hunter Fejes to Orlando, Francis made his presence felt 17 seconds into the second stanza. He deposited his first goal with the team to extend the lead to 3-1.
Francis added two assists and an empty-net goal in the third to finish his solid performance.
"We had to give up a lot with Fejes to get a lot," Christian said. "We just felt like we needed a centerman who could distribute the puck and he has paid dividends early."
The hats came flying from the crowd and onto the ice 7:35 into the second when Bourbonnais raced through the right circle and fired a shot into the cage to make the cushion to 4-1.
Dylan Zink and team captain Nick Sorkin also added goals in the thrilling second period.
The Monarchs turned in a late goal in the second and two in the third but it was too little too late.
Adam Morrison contributed a solid performance between the pipes for Wheeling, stopping 33 of the 37 shots he faced. Williams and Branden Komm combined for 26 saves for Manchester.