READING — There is no better feeling than closing a playoff series with an overtime goal. The Wheeling Nailers got to enjoy that ultimate celebration on Saturday night in game five of the Kelly Cup’s North Division semifinal series against the Reading Royals. The two clubs played to a 0-0 tie for more than 87 minutes of action, before Nolan Renwick delivered the winning goal for Wheeling. Taylor Gauthier made 41 saves for his third shutout of the series as the Nailers won the game, 1-0, and took the series, 4-1.

Both teams had chances to open the scoring in the first period, as two power plays per side were awarded. Neither squad was able to convert, and the result was a scoreless deadlock. The defense and goaltending continued to shine in the middle frame, while the clubs searched for someone capable of turning on the red light. The story stayed the same in the third period, as Gauthier and Yaniv Perets were both magnificent for their respective teams. That created the first 0-0 tie after regulation in Wheeling’s playoff history.

The contest remained scoreless through the first overtime, which saw the Nailers outshoot Reading, 13-7. Finally, at the 7:53 mark of double overtime, Wheeling closed out the series win. Renwick let a turnaround shot go from beneath the left face-off dot, which slithered through Perets legs, giving the Nailers the 1-0 triumph in the third longest game in team history.

Gauthier became the first goaltender in Wheeling history with three playoff shutouts, and he got them all in this series. Gauthier was perfect on 41 shots, and in the process, tied an ECHL record for the fewest goals allowed in a five-game series. Perets was extremely impressive in the other crease, as he made 53 saves on 54 shots for the Royals.

The Nailers have advanced to the North Division Finals, and will face the winner of the series between the Maine Mariners and the Adirondack Thunder. Regardless of the opponent, games one and two will be played at WesBanco Arena on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9. Both contests will start at 7:10 p.m. Maine leads its best-of-7 series with Adirondack 3-2, with Game six scheduled for Tuesday night in Maine. If a game seven is necessary, it would also be played in Maine on Wednesday.