photo by: Joe Lovell

Wheeling defenseman Scooter Brickey controls the puck during Sunday’s game against the Cincinnaty Cyclones at WesBanco Arena.

WHEELING — The Wheeling Nailers tied history on Sunday afternoon, as they wrapped up a stretch of four games in five days at WesBanco Arena against the Cincinnati Cyclones.

The Nailers came up short, 2-1, as Elijah Vilio scored for Cincinnati at the 41-second mark of overtime. However, the point brought Wheeling to 12-2-1 in November to match the best month in team history. The Wheeling Thunderbirds also went 12-2-1 in February 1995.

Jake Smith made 32 saves for the Nailers, as he played in his third game in less than 48 hours.

Both teams got on the scoreboard in the first period. Cincinnati struck first with the power play at the 7:08 mark. Ryan Kirwan took three shots on the man advantage, and his third try was the charm, as he whipped in a wrist shot from the left circle.

The Nailers drew even 4:28 later. Matthew Quercia laid an enormous check on Cole Fraser behind the goal to earn possession for the home team. The puck eventually found its way back to Quercia from Scooter Brickey, and the Wheeling captain blasted home a one-timer from the right circle.

Goals were hard to come by, as the two squads were held off of the board for the final 48 minutes of regulation.

Wheeling had an 11-6 advantage in shots during the second period, while the Cyclones led the shots 12-8 in the third.

Overtime lasted for 41 seconds, before Cincinnati collected the winning tally. Elijah Vilio sprinted down the left side of the ice, then cut to the goal, where his backhand attempt was denied. However, the puck found its way back to Vilio’s stick for a second chance, and he proceeded to roof a shot from the right circle for the 2-1 final.

Ken Appleby picked up the win for the Cyclones, as he made 29 saves on 30 shots. Jake Smith played for the third day in a row for the Nailers, and put forth another stellar effort, as he stopped 32 of the 34 shots he faced. Smith finished November with a 7-0-1 record.

The Nailers will travel to Reading to face the Royals at 7 p.m. Wednesday before returning to WesBanco Arena for three games next weekend.

The opponent for all three will be the Greensboro Gargoyles at 7:10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 4:10 p.m. Sunday.

NAILERS 8, CYCLONES 3 (SATURDAY)

The Nailers put in their best offensive showing of the season Saturday, carring a 3-2 lead into the second intermission, then exploding for five goals in the third period to destroy the Cincinnati Cyclones 8-3 at WesBanco Arena.

Some of the top performers included Craig Armstrong (one goal, four assists), Randy Hernandez (two goals, two assists), and Max Graham (Gordie Howe Hat Trick — goal, assist, fight).

Jake Smith became the eighth goaltender to earn at least seven straight wins for Wheeling, as he made 26 saves on 29 shots to improve to 7-0-0. Kyle McClellan took the loss for the Cyclones, as he allowed seven goals on 25 shots.