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GLENS FALLS, N.Y. -- After an offensive explosion on Saturday night, Sunday afternoon's weekend finale reverted back to Friday night's style, as the Wheeling Nailers and Adirondack Thunder faced off for the final time in 2024-25.
The Nailers came up empty in the goal column, however, despite another sensational performance by Taylor Gauthier. Adirondack's Kevin O'Neil snapped a scoreless draw with 8:08 remaining, and an empty netter was added for a 2-0 final score.
Tempers were calm for the majority of the first two periods, as the two sides focused on trying to find the back of the net. The Thunder held a 26-12 advantage in shots, but the scoreboard remained blank on both sides. With 8:08 left in regulation, the tie got snapped. Kevin O'Neil picked up the puck in the left corner, skated to the low slot, and lifted a shot into the top-right corner of the cage. Things began to get testy with 2:38 left, when both teams had two players receive penalties. Dylan Wendt added an empty netter for Adirondack to make the score 2-0 with one minute to go, and everything went bonkers from there, with penalties and ejections galore.
Jeremy Brodeur picked up his second shutout of the weekend for the Thunder, as he was perfect on 25 shots. Taylor Gauthier was outstanding with 35 saves on 36 shots for Wheeling, and is somehow winless in his last three starts, despite only allowing three goals on 94 shots.
The Nailers will return home for four games this week, beginning with Education Day at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday against Trois-Rivieres.
NAILERS 6, THUNDER 4 (SATURDAY)
Six different players found the back of the net Saturday for the Wheeling Nailers as they sent a sellout crowd of 5,426 in Adirondack home unhappy with a 6-4 triumph.
The Nailers attack was led by Matty De St. Phalle and Gabe Klassen, who both returned from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton earlier in the day. De St. Phalle was one of five Nailers with multiple points.
Jaxon Castor made his first start in 20 days and was victorious in the Wheeling crease, as he stopped 23 of the 27 shots he faced. Jeremy Brodeur gave up six goals on 33 shots in the loss for the Thunder.