photo by: Joe Lovell

The Wheeling Nailers’ Garret Sparks blocks a shot by the Cincinnati Cyclones’ Luke Santerno during the Cyclones’ 3-2 win Sunday at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling.

WHEELING — The Wheeling Nailers emptied the tank on Sunday afternoon, as they concluded their four-game week at WesBanco Arena against the Cincinnati Cyclones. However, two players made major impacts for Cincinnati, as Jalen Smereck registered two goals and an assist, while Talyn Boyko made 31 saves, to help the visitors prevail, 3-2.

Matt Koopman and Jordan Martel were the goal scorers for the Nailers.

Both teams scored in the first period, and the goals came 1:25 apart from each other. Wheeling struck first on the power play. Davis Bunz swept a pass to the right side of the slot for Matt Koopman, who turned, and not only snapped a shot into the right side of the cage, but also snapped his stick in the process. The Cyclones answered quickly, when Sahir Panwar delivered a cross-slot pass to Jalen Smereck, who squeezed his right side shot through Garret Sparks.

Cincinnati’s power play had a big impact on the middle frame, as it converted on back-to-back opportunities. Jimmy Soper recorded the first go-ahead goal, as he deflected in a perfect pass on the left side of the crease from Noah Kane. Jalen Smereck was responsible for the second man advantage marker, as he wired a wrist shot off the crossbar and in from the left point. Those two strikes were sandwiched around Jordan Martel’s 30th goal of the year, as he rushed down the left side of the ice and shoveled a backhander over Talyn Boyko’s right shoulder.

The Nailers will play their next three games on the road, starting on Friday night in Toledo at 7:15 p.m.

NAILERS 3, KOMETS 1 (SATURDAY)

The Nailers delivered a key victory on home ice Saturday against the Fort Wayne Komets. Jordan Martel and William Provost performed some magic against their former team, as both players turned on the red light, while Jaxon Castor got the win with 28 saves. Brett Brochu took the loss for Fort Wayne.