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Late Power Play Goal Lifts Toledo as Nailers Can’t Hold Early Lead

TOLEDO, Ohio — The Wheeling Nailers held a pair of leads Sunday against Toledo at Huntington Center, but the Walleye rallied back for a 6-3 win, which was decided on a power play goal with 4:14 on the clock.

Nolan Moyle netted a hat trick for Toledo, while James Hardie registered his first goal and an assist as a Nailer.

The Nailers got off to a great start, as they tickled the twine twice in the first period with goals by Hardie and David Jankowski. But the middle frame belonged to Toledo, who evened the score with two tallies of its own.

Wheeling regained the lead in the early stages of the third period. Logan Pietila and Gabe Klassen put in strong work behind the net, and Matty De St. Phalle popped in a loose puck from the right side of the crease.

Toledo had multiple answers to that. Moyle notched his second of the night to tie the tilt. The Walleye received only two power plays all day, but their second one turned out to be enormous. as Brandon Kruse whizzed in a wrist shot from the right circle with 4:14 left in regulation.

Tyler Spezia and Moyle tacked on empty netters to create a misleading 6-3 final score for the Walleye.

Carter Gylander picked up the win for Toledo, as he came away with 17 saves on 20 shots. Taylor Gauthier suffered the defeat for the Nailers, as he stopped 21 of the 25 shots he faced.

The Nailers will play one more road game at 7 p.m. Friday in Indy. Wheeling’s next home game is Pittsburgh Penguins Night at 7:10 p.m. Saturday against Reading.

KOMETS 5, NAILERS 3 (SATURDAY)

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Nailers came close to taking a point out of Saturday’s game against the Fort Wayne Komets at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, but a few missed opportunities left them unable to turn the score around and Fort Wayne prevailed, 5-3.

Matthew Quercia netted two goals for the Nailers, while the Komets struck twice with the man advantage.

Connor Ungar picked up the win for Fort Wayne, as he made 24 saves on 27 shots. Jaxon Castor suffered the loss for Wheeling, as he stopped 23 of the 27 shots he faced.

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